PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: Aiming to oversee Haiti’s political transition, the governing council vowed to restore “public and democratic order” in its first statement on Wednesday to the Caribbean nation, which is grappling with a worsening security crisis.
“We are determined to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people, trapped for too long between bad governance, multi-faceted violence and disregard for their perspectives and needs,” said a statement from the yet-to-be-established Presidential Council.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has led the impoverished Caribbean nation since the shock assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, vowed to step down after a transitional council was formed more than two weeks ago, but it reaching that stage has proved exceedingly difficult.
Mr. Henry’s decision came after a security crisis escalated, which culminated late last month in coordinated attacks by armed groups demanding his ouster.
The presidential transition council to be composed of seven voting members and two non-voting members drawn from Haiti’s political parties and the private sector, and appoints the interim Prime Minister and the interim government in preparation for new elections.
However, the formation of this council has been stalled due to differences among party leaders.
“As soon as it is installed, the Presidential Council will appoint a Prime Minister, with whom it will form a Government of National Unity and put Haiti back on the road to democratic legitimacy, stability and dignity,” Wednesday’s statement said and added that at present, the Council is finalizing a document on its organization and mode of operation, including a transparent political agreement between the sectors involved in the process.
