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A new chapter has begun in Haiti’s fight for stability with the announcement of a complete cabinet overhaul. This move follows months of gang violence and political turmoil that forced former Prime Minister Ariel Henry to step down.
The newly appointed cabinet replaces all ministers from Henry’s administration. Garry Conille, a former UNICEF regional director, was named interim Prime Minister two weeks ago and will also assume the role of Interior Minister, overseeing the Haitian National Police.
This cabinet formation signifies a crucial step towards restoring political normalcy in a nation plagued by violence and uncertainty. The transitional government council meticulously filled key positions, with Carlos Hercules, Conille’s attorney, taking the helm of Justice and Public Security, and Dominique Dupuy, Haiti’s former ambassador to UNESCO, appointed Foreign Affairs Minister.
While some Haitians find hope in these developments, particularly after the recent reopening of the international airport, others remain deeply concerned by the immense challenges facing the new cabinet. Gangs continue to exert control over most of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of the interim leadership.
A glimmer of hope emerged last year with the promise of a UN-backed security force led by Kenya to bolster Haiti’s struggling police force. However, the deployment of roughly 1,000 Kenyan officers remains stalled, despite Kenyan President William Ruto’s recent reiteration of his support.
The power vacuum created by Henry’s departure in March allowed gangs to further tighten their grip on the nation, rendering vast swathes lawless. The United Nations painted a grim picture of Haiti’s situation in a recent report, calling it “cataclysmic.” The report documented over 1,500 deaths and 800 injuries in the first quarter of 2024 alone. It further exposed the brutality of gang violence, detailing their use of extreme violence and sexual abuse for control.
Humanitarian organizations are struggling to deliver vital supplies like food and water to the capital, raising alarms about millions facing starvation. Haiti’s woes began with the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, plunging the country into chaos. The nation currently lacks both a president and a functioning parliament.
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