Haiti's government on Friday formally established a nine-member Interim Presidential Council aimed at restoring security to the gang-ravaged Caribbean country.
This development represents an important step toward addressing Haiti's security crisis. The council's creation comes at a time of escalating gang violence, causing mass displacement and severe shortages of essential goods. A report released Wednesday by a Haitian human rights group documents serious instances of gang violence in Haiti, including drive-by shootings, hospital room executions, and beheadings, instilling fear and chaos across the country. It conveys the nature of gang activity. The council's commitments, including spending on international troops to support police fighting armed groups, highlight the seriousness of Haiti's security situation.
Gang attacks that have devastated neighborhoods have displaced more than 95,000 people in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area in recent weeks, forcing survivors to seek refuge elsewhere.
But the decree outlining the creation of the Interim Presidential Council is missing key details, such as naming its members and setting a timeline for its creation and Prime Minister Ariel Henry's replacement. Notably, the decree initially allows Henry to remain in charge, emphasizing the need for cooperation between the council and the prime minister in establishing a new overarching cabinet.
Despite positive steps towards transitional governance, significant challenges lie ahead. Delays in full membership of council members and potential power struggles could impede progress towards stability. Legal and procedural hurdles, including verifying the eligibility of parliamentary candidates, could further prolong the transition process.
Jean Saint-Ville, a Haitian-Canadian activist and dissident, said in a comment to JURIST, “Based on various memos and reading of the Friday, April 12th decree issued by illegal organizations… ” he said. Haitian Tet Carre Party (PHTK) I believe that corrupt politicians in the government, the US, Canada, the EU, and Haiti are still plotting to delay the transition as long as possible. ” Saint-Ville continued.
Unlike the draft submitted to CARICOM,[the regional agency of Caribbean countries], the published decree stipulates that one must not oppose foreign occupation in order to be eligible to serve on the Presidential Council. Keen observers perceive the United Nations' Blessed Forces, which is not the United Nations, to be the US-backed PHTK regime's means of ensuring continued impunity for criminals and their foreign affiliates. Haiti is a hostage nation.
Regarding the issue of transitional governance, Bob Rae, Canada's current ambassador to the United Nations, argued in a recent interview with JURIST that: We should strive to advocate for improvements in the security situation, development situation, democracy and human rights environment, in order to get more cooperation in building stronger common institutions. ”
