Obstacles such as death threats and security concerns are impeding the formation of a council in Haiti.

The creation of a transitional presidential council in Haiti, responsible for choosing the country’s next leader, has been hindered by death threats and security concerns. Meetings with Caribbean leaders, as well as officials from the US, Canada, and France, have been held to address these issues. The council has yet to be sworn in due to worries over the safety of its members and ongoing gang violence in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.

Since February 29, gangs in Haiti have launched violent attacks, burning police stations, firing upon the international airport, and releasing thousands of inmates from prisons. This has resulted in numerous deaths and a significant number of residents fleeing the capital. The delay in establishing the council has been exacerbated by the resignation of a council member, Dominique Dupuy, who cited political attacks and death threats as reasons for stepping down. The council quickly replaced her, bringing the total number of members back to nine.

While the council is aiming to select a new leader for Haiti and appoint a council of ministers in order to address the ongoing gang violence, there is uncertainty surrounding the formal announcement of the council. Despite hopes that gang violence will decrease once new leadership is in place, recent attacks, such as the burning of a garage in downtown Port-au-Prince, continue to impact residents and businesses. The delay in establishing the council has raised concerns about the political conflicts and power struggles within Haiti.

Romain Le Cour, from Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, noted that the gangs in Haiti appear to be pursuing a strategy of maximum pressure through intermittent attacks. There are concerns that these actions may be influenced by political entities, leading to further instability and violence in the country. The delay in establishing new leadership is seen as a reflection of the deep-rooted conflicts in Haitian politics, allowing for the continued influence of armed groups and criminal networks.

The international community, including Caricom and various governments, continues to engage in efforts to support Haiti in establishing a functional transitional council. The importance of resolving the security concerns and political turmoil in Haiti is underscored by the ongoing violence and unrest in the country. As discussions and meetings continue, there is a collective call for an end to the violence and a focus on creating stability and effective leadership in Haiti.