Port-au-Prince, Haiti – After weeks of uncertainty, a transitional council has been established in Haiti to select the country’s next leadership, as announced in an official decree. This significant development follows the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who will step down once the council appoints a new prime minister and cabinet.
Composed of seven voting members and two non-voting observers, the council is responsible for choosing an impartial electoral council and appointing a new prime minister. The decree outlines that the council will assume certain presidential powers until a new president-elect is inaugurated by no later than February 7, 2026, with no possibility of extension beyond that date.
The members of the council, as announced in a press release, include Fritz Alphonse Jean, Louis Gérald Gilles, Edgard Leblanc Fils, Emmanuel Vertilaire, Smith Augustin, Lesly Voltaire, Laurent Saint Cyr, Frinel Joseph, and Régine Abraham. The Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) have expressed their support for the establishment of the council, seeing it as a potential new beginning for Haiti.
One of the council’s primary tasks will be to address the urgent security situation in the region, particularly the series of attacks by gangs that have crippled vital transportation hubs in the capital of Port-au-Prince. The situation has led to a humanitarian crisis, with nearly 5 million Haitians facing acute food insecurity, according to the United Nations.
Amid the challenges faced by Haiti, CARICOM has pledged its continued assistance in determining the country’s future. Despite the obstacles ahead, the collaborative effort between CARICOM and Haiti aims to pave the way for stability and progress in the nation. As Haiti navigates through this critical period, the international community remains vigilant and committed to supporting its efforts to overcome the crisis and rebuild a more secure and prosperous future.