New government takes over in Haiti amid escalating violence
In a restaurant offer order in the violence-stricken nation, Haiti has installed a new government, which has completely overhauled the previous administration led by former Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Henry was ousted earlier this year by gangs that have seized control of large areas of the country. The video posted on X purportedly shows the riots that erupted in response to Henry's attempt to use the Kenyan police to fight crime:
For several days there have been riots in Haiti and a state of emergency has been declared.
The reason was Prime Minister Ariel Henry's intention to coordinate the deployment of a Kenyan police contingent to the country to combat banditry.
The agreement between the… pic.twitter.com/XStzTaQVGq
— Global Info Factory (@GlobalInfoFact) March 10, 2024
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The announcement of the new cabinet follows the appointment of Garry Conille as interim prime minister by Haiti's transitional governing council two weeks ago. Conille, who will also act as Minister of the Interior, was officially appointed in a decree published in the country's Official Gazette.
Leadership review and hope for stability
The new cabinet, appointed by the transition council, aims to bring political stability to Haiti, a nation wracked by prolonged violence and unrest. A spokeswoman confirmed that all key posts have been filled, with Garry Conille taking on the dual role of First Minister and Home Secretary.
Conille's lawyer, Carlos Hercules, has been named Minister of Justice and Public Security, while Dominique Dupuy, Haiti's ambassador to UNESCO, will act as Minister of Foreign Affairs. The finance ministry will be led by Princeton-educated Ketleen Florestal, succeeding Michel Patrick Boisvert, who also served briefly as interim prime minister this year.
Challenges for the new cabinet
While the new government brings some hope, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. The recent reopening of the international airport is a positive step, but many Haitians remain deeply concerned about the dominance of gangs in the capital, Port-au-Prince. These groups refuse to recognize the legitimacy of the interim council or any transitional leadership.
A UN-backed, Kenyan-led security force was proposed last year to support the struggling Haitian police force. However, the deployment of some 1,000 Kenyan police has yet to materialize. Kenyan President William Ruto recently reaffirmed his commitment to the plan in an interview with the BBC, but no concrete action has been taken.
The fallout from Ariel Henry's exclusion
Former Prime Minister Ariel Henry agreed to resign in March after armed groups blocked his return from Kenya, where he had been in talks with President Ruto. The resulting power vacuum allowed the gangs to expand their control, leading to lawlessness in various parts of the country.
The United Nations described the situation in Haiti as “cataclysmic” in a recent report, citing more than 1,500 deaths and 800 injuries in the first quarter of 2024 alone. The report highlighted the extreme violence and sexual abuse employed by gangs as methods of punishment and control.
Aid organizations face significant obstacles in delivering food and water to the capital, with millions of Haitians on the brink of starvation. The country's crisis deepened after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, which left Haiti without a president or a functioning parliament.
The uncertainty of the future
As Haiti's new government takes office, the nation is watching closely to see if this new leadership can make meaningful strides toward restoring order and stability. The challenges are immense, but forming this cabinet is a critical first step.
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