Haiti's Transitional Council Forms New Cabinet Amidst Gang Violence and Political Instability

The Haitian transitional council has appointed a new cabinet, a final step in rebuilding the government amidst a surge in gang violence and political instability.

Haiti's transitional council has made strides in rebuilding the nation's government, appointing a new cabinet in a move to address the country's pressing challenges. The cabinet's formation is a significant step in stabilizing Haiti, which has been plagued by gang violence, political turmoil, and economic instability.

Carlos Hercules, the attorney for Prime Minister Garry Conille, was named Minister of Justice and Public Security. Conille himself will serve as Minister of the Interior, while Jean Marc Berthier Antoine was appointed Minister of Defense. The cabinet also includes four women, a notable improvement in female representation in Haitian government.

Kettia Marcellus, the government spokeswoman, confirmed the existence of the new cabinet to The Associated Press. Haiti has been struggling with widespread gang violence, with gangs controlling at least 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The country is anticipating the deployment of a United Nations (UN)-backed police force from Kenya in the coming weeks.

The new cabinet faces the daunting task of addressing Haiti's escalating violence. Former Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned in April after weeks of coordinated gang attacks, leading to the dissolution of his cabinet. Paramilitaries seized control of police stations and attacked the main international airport, which remained closed for almost three months. The violence has also extended to Haiti's two largest prisons.

Prime Minister Conille has vowed to crack down on the violence and restore order to the country. Dominique Dupuy, a former member of the transitional council, will oversee the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She resigned from the council due to political attacks and death threats. Pascale Solages of the Haitian feminist organization Nègès Mawon criticized the lack of female representation in the new cabinet, stating that it "is an insult to the 6 million women and girls in Haiti whose participation is necessary for the transition's success."

The cabinet also includes Ketleen Florestal as Minister of Economy and Finance, taking charge of a nation grappling with deepening poverty and inflation. Antoine Augustin was appointed Minister of Education, a critical role considering the closure of hundreds of schools in Port-au-Prince due to gang violence.

Michael Deibert, author of "Notes From the Last Testament: The Struggle for Haiti" and "Haiti Will Not Perish: A Recent History," noted the relative obscurity of many of the newly appointed ministers. He stated that while the cabinet's composition is an improvement over the previous council, it still falls short in terms of female representation.

The transitional council's work extends beyond cabinet appointments. It is also tasked with establishing a provisional electoral commission, a prerequisite for holding general elections. The council's mandate expires in February 2026, at which point a new president is scheduled to be sworn in.