Transitional Council in Haiti: Addressing the Issue?

Written by Jose Aguilar | April 15, 2024

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Last Friday, Haiti established a transitional council despite the rampant violence and political upheaval the country is dealing with. The situation in Haiti has worsened over the last weeks, especially in Port-Au-Prince where 80% of the city is controlled by gangs. Key areas of the capital, Port-Au-Prince, are still controlled by the gangs since violence escalated on February 29th. These areas include a hospital and main roads where a significant amount of commerce takes place. 

The transitional council was created by the Caribbean Community Bloc (CARICOM) which convened in Jamaica after it became clear that the former prime minister, Ariel Henry, could not access Haiti. The council is formed by the civil society, the religious sector, and other members of the region. The council is granted executive powers to lead the path for the election process to elect a new president and the cabinet. The people involved in creating the council, state that this is a good sign for Haiti due to this council being politically inclusive.

The presidential council is expected to address the security crisis, food instability, and lack of medical services. These are some of the main concerns that Haitians have experienced over the years and require immediate attention. Experts state that Haiti is experiencing a multidimensional crisis which is a challenging situation for the council and the future president. The situation will have a significant impact on regional geopolitics. It is crucial to pay attention as it develops.