By Edward Francis Dalliah
Haiti has been synonymous with political violence since its formation. Located in the Caribbean seas, North of South America, Haiti has been hit with political unrest since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise back in July 2021. Since his assassination, there have been numerous challenges to hold another election. Currently, acting President Ariel Henry is in exile in Puerto Rico, leaving the country leaderless.
Currently, Haitians are living without an elected President, Ariel Henry who had been in the political arena for more than a decade was selected by the assassinated President as his next Prime minister to replace Claude Joesph two days before he was killed.
Taking office as the acting President and Prime Minister after the incident, Henry called for “unity and stated that he would prioritize reassuring people about restoring order and security in the country”. However, he dismissed the members of the Provisional Election Council on 27th September 2021 and promised that a “new council would be appointed [to] hold the elections in early 2022”. A promise he failed to keep, resulting in further escalation of the security situation in Haiti.
A report released by the UN in January 2024, highlighted the crisis has reached a “critical point”. According to the UN, “more than 8,400 people were victims of gang violence in the country last year, including killings, injuries and kidnappings – a 122 per cent increase over 2022”.
The security situation in Haiti has always been a concern as gangs kill, loot, and kidnap in exchange for money. Gangs have been credited with a prison break after an attack on the State Prison. The situation was so dire that acting President Henry travelled to Guyana and Kenya to request security support to contain the violence in Haiti. Unfortunately, former acting President Henry has since found himself in exile after gang leaders demanded his resignation.
One of the gang leaders who featured extensively in the media is Jimmy Cherizier alias Barbeque. The former elite Police Officer turned Gang Leader is backed by a Coalition of Gangs and has taken territorial control of some regions in Haiti. The outspoken Barbeque has led calls for the acting President to resign and challenged the “international community” whom he says is leading the country to a civil war by supporting the current leadership. “We will fight until Ariel Henry’s resignation,” he said.
It now appears that things may change with a France 24 publication highlighting that Haiti’s Transitional Council has finalized a deal for a temporary government which will take charge until 7th February 2026.
“The accord establishes a nine-member council, [where] seven are voting members and two [are] observers representing political parties, the private sector and civil society”, the report highlighted. Although some progress has been made, some “details must first be approved by the outgoing authorities”.
So at the moment, it’s expected that the Transitional Council will select the next Prime Minister until the next election which should take place by 7th February 2024.