Haiti has appointed Garry Conille as its new prime minister, ending weeks of uncertainty following a split within the transitional council. Conille, a former prime minister and current UNICEF regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean, was selected by six out of seven council members with voting power. Laurent St. Cyr, the absent member, did not participate in the vote.

Conille's appointment comes amidst ongoing turmoil in Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, where gangs continue to wreak havoc. Gangs have been terrorising once-peaceful neighbourhoods, engaging in gunfire and using heavy machinery to destroy several police stations and prisons.

Conille replaces Michel Patrick Boisvert, who served as interim prime minister after Ariel Henry resigned in late April. Henry's resignation came in the wake of coordinated attacks by powerful gangs on February 29, which left Haiti in disarray. Henry was abroad on an official trip to Kenya when the attacks occurred, leading to his inability to return to the country.

The violence perpetrated by gangs in Haiti has persisted, with Conille assuming leadership amidst escalating tensions. The country is awaiting the deployment of a UN-backed police force from Kenya and other nations to address the ongoing security challenges.

Conille, with a background in political and health administration, has extensive experience in developing healthcare in Haiti's impoverished communities. He served at the United Nations before being appointed as prime minister by Martelly in 2011. However, Conille resigned less than a year later due to conflicts with the president and his Cabinet over an investigation into government officials holding dual nationality, which is prohibited by Haiti's constitution.

Assuming the role of prime minister, Conille faces the daunting challenge of tackling widespread gang violence and addressing Haiti's deep-rooted poverty. The country is grappling with a record inflation rate of 29 percent, exacerbating the economic hardships faced by its citizens.

Gangs, controlling significant portions of Port-au-Prince, have displaced over 360,000 people in recent years and continue to exert control over vital transportation routes linking the capital to Haiti's northern and southern regions. This control often disrupts the movement of essential goods, further complicating Haiti's socio-economic landscape.

Conille's appointment as prime minister follows the controversial selection of former Haitian sports minister Fritz Bélizaire by a coalition within the transitional council in April. However, this decision faced criticism for not adhering to proper procedures outlined in the council's framework. Consequently, a new selection process was initiated, resulting in Conille's appointment from a pool of numerous candidates.

The drawn-out selection process has faced criticism from various quarters, including the Montana Accord, a Haitian civil society group represented on the council. The group accused the council of failing to take significant action since its installation, as the situation worsens with increased gang control and crime.

Additionally, they criticised the lack of transparency in the prime minister selection process, highlighting the absence of public disclosure regarding criteria and candidate names. Liné Balthazar, president of the Tet Kale party, urged the council to be more transparent, expressing concerns over what appeared to be an improvised selection process.

The nine-member council, with seven voting powers, must appoint a provisional electoral commission before elections can occur. Their mandate expires on February 7, 2026, coinciding with the swearing-in of a new president.

Additionally, the council is tasked with selecting a new prime minister, forming a new Cabinet, and organising general elections by the end of next year. Council members include representatives from various political parties and the private sector.

Image source: Reuters