Haiti’s transitional council hands power to US-backed prime minister | Politics News
Haiti’s Transitional Council Transfers Power to PM Fils-Aime Amid Instability
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council has officially transferred power to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime, a decision made in a tightly secured ceremony on Saturday amidst the country’s ongoing turmoil characterized by rampant gang violence.
Fils-Aime, a 54-year-old businessman, is now the sole politician wielding executive authority in a climate marked by severe instability and increasing violence that has claimed thousands of lives. Council President Laurent Saint-Cyr acknowledged the gravity of Fils-Aime’s new responsibilities during the transfer, highlighting the critical moment for the nation.
This transfer of power comes shortly after council members voiced intentions to remove Fils-Aime from office, which prompted the United States to impose visa restrictions on several council members and a cabinet minister. Additionally, the U.S. deployed a warship and two coast guard vessels to nearby waters, reflecting concerns about the deteriorating security situation in Haiti, where gangs dominate 90 percent of the territory.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the necessity of Fils-Aime’s leadership in combating violent gangs and restoring stability. The council’s earlier plans to oust him have seemingly dissolved following the completion of their own tenure.
Fils-Aime now faces the formidable task of organizing the first general elections in Haiti in nearly a decade. The Transitional Presidential Council, established in 2024 in response to a political crisis dating back to the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, has been marred by internal conflict and allegations of corruption.
Initially, the council was tasked with creating a framework for federal elections, but it has postponed votes originally slated for February. New tentative dates for elections have been suggested for August and December, although many observers remain skeptical about the likelihood of conducting elections this year.
The United Nations reported that last year, gang violence resulted in the deaths of nearly 6,000 individuals in Haiti, with approximately 1.4 million people displaced by the unrest. An international security force intended to assist in restoring order has seen a slow deployment, with fewer than 1,000 troops, primarily Kenyan police, currently stationed in the country. The U.N. aims to have 5,500 troops in Haiti by mid-year or by November at the latest.
As Fils-Aime assumes his new role, the pressing challenges of governance and public safety loom large over Haiti’s future.
