Transitional Council Installed in Haiti to Address Political Instability

A transitional council tasked with bringing political stability to Haiti, which has been marred by gang violence and soaring hunger and poverty, has been installed in the capital. The council will appoint a new prime minister and Cabinet, and create a road map to eventually hold long-awaited general elections.

The installation of a transitional council in Haiti on Thursday marks a significant step toward bringing political stability to the Caribbean nation, which has been plagued by gang violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis. The council is mandated to appoint a new prime minister and Cabinet, and to create a road map for holding long-awaited general elections.

The council is made up of eight men and one woman, with seven members having voting powers. The members represent a diverse range of political and civil society groups, including the signatories of the December 21 agreement, the Montana Accord, and the Organization of the Struggling People.

The installation of the council comes amidst a dire humanitarian situation in Haiti. Gang violence has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and has led to widespread hunger and poverty. The country is also facing a political crisis, with the previous prime minister, Ariel Henry, resigning in February.

The transitional council is expected to face significant challenges in carrying out its mandate. Gang violence remains a major threat, and the council may face opposition from political actors who are opposed to its goals.

However, the council's installation is a positive step toward bringing stability to Haiti. The council members represent a diverse range of perspectives, and they have a shared goal of improving the lives of the Haitian people.

The United Nations has welcomed the installation of the transitional council and has called on all Haitians to support its efforts to bring peace and stability to the country.

The council's mandate expires on February 7, 2026, when a new president would be sworn in. It is hoped that by that time, Haiti will have held successful general elections and will have made progress in addressing the challenges facing the country.

Here is a brief overview of the voting members of the transitional council:

Smith Agustin: Former ambassador to the Dominican Republic, legal expert, and sociologist.

Dr. Louis Gérald Gilles: Former senator and representative of the signatories of the December 21 agreement.

Fritz Alphonse Jean: Economist and president of the Haitian Institute of Public Policies.

Edgard Leblanc Fils: Former president of Haiti's Senate.

Laurent Saint-Cyr: President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Haiti.

Emmanuel Vertilaire: Judge of the Cap-Haïtien court and specialist in criminology and anti-corruption efforts.

* Leslie Voltaire: Veteran politician and former minister of education.

The two observers on the council are Régine Abraham, an agronomist and Cabinet director at the Ministry of the Environment, and Frinel Joseph, an evangelical pastor and former treasurer of Haiti's electoral council.