Haiti decrees long-awaited transition council, but questions remain

FILE PHOTO: People walk past remains of vehicles near the presidential palace, after they were set on fire by gangs, as violence spreads and armed gangs expand their control over the capital, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti March 25, 2024. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol/File Photo

PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) -Haiti’s government on Friday issued a decree formalizing the creation of a nine-member transitional presidential council, a long-delayed move intended as the first step in restoring security to the gang-ravaged Caribbean country.

The decree, however, leaves many questions unanswered.

It does not name the new council members, nor does it establish a timeframe for the installation of the council and replacement for Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who one month ago pledged to step down once his successor was in place.

It suggests the unpopular and unelected Henry will initially retain oversight of proceedings, allowing the current prime minister to make the “necessary arrangements” ahead of the new appointments. Those chosen must then “participate, in agreement with the prime minister, in the formation of an inclusive ministers’ cabinet.”

It also calls on the council to help speed the deployment of international troops Henry requested in 2022 to aid police in their battles with armed and increasingly powerful gangs.

The decree was published in Haiti’s official gazette and names the nine political parties or social sectors who will be represented on the council, including two non-voting observers, confirming an announcement made last month.

The transition plan was announced on March 11 as armed men mounted attacks on parts of the capital Port-au-Prince they did not already control, while Henry remained stranded outside the country.

Friday’s decree stipulates the council be headquartered in the National Palace in downtown Port-au-Prince, which has come under fire several times in the past weeks.

After the decree was published, local media reported more gunfire in parts of Port-au-Prince.

In a separate statement on Friday, the government said it invited the designated council representatives to submit documents to prove their eligibility at government offices in the capital.

The transition plan was agreed with the mediation of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). The nine groups named by CARICOM a month ago and in Friday’s decree have all put forward council candidates, but their nominations have yet to be formalized despite frequent pledges that such an announcement was near.

The delayed transition has prompted critics to accuse Henry’s allies of hampering the process in order to keep hold of power. The government has said it is working through legal and constitutional problems “as fast as possible.”

CARICOM on Friday said it welcomed the decree and reiterated the need for the new leaders to urgently address the security situation so schools and businesses can reopen and people can travel freely and access basic supplies.

Close to 95,000 people have fled the capital’s metropolitan area in the last month as armed gangs have cemented their control. Haitians are lacking basic goods as key ports remain closed, while the outgoing government remains absent.

(Reporting by Harold Isaac in Port-au-Prince and Brendan O’Boyle and Sarah Morland in Mexico City; Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)