{"id":2690,"date":"2024-04-12T23:04:38","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T23:04:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=2690"},"modified":"2024-04-12T23:04:38","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T23:04:38","slug":"transitional-council-in-haiti-is-formally-established-despite-gang-violence","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/internationalpulse.net\/?p=2690","title":{"rendered":"Transitional council in Haiti is formally established despite gang violence"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nPORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti \u2014\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
A transitional council tasked with choosing Haiti\u2019s next prime minister and Cabinet was established Friday in a move supporters hope will help quell turmoil in the troubled Caribbean country, where most of the capital remains in the grip of criminal gangs.<\/p>\n
The formation of the council, announced in a decree published in a Haitian government gazette, was expected to soon trigger the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, but a new provision said he would step down when a new premier was chosen. Henry did not immediately comment.<\/p>\n
Those awarded a seat on the council were Petit Desalin, a party led by former senator and presidential candidate Jean-Charles Moise; EDE\/RED, a party led by former Prime Minister Claude Joseph; the Montana Accord, a group of civil society leaders, political parties and others; Fanmi Lavalas, the party of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide; the January 30 Collective, which represents parties including that of former President Michel Martelly; and the private sector.<\/p>\n
The two nonvoting seats were represented by someone from Haiti\u2019s civil society and its religious sector. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe establishment of the … politically inclusive council signals the possibility of a new beginning for Haiti,\u201d a Caribbean trade bloc known as Caricom, which helped form the council, said in a statement.<\/p>\n
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\n<\/div>\nPolice take cover during an anti-gang operation next to the National Palace in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, April 8, 2024.<\/span> \n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
It said that the council \u201cwill take the troubled country through elections to the restoration of the lapsed state institutions and constitutional government.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is also clear that one of the first priorities of the newly installed Presidential Council will be to urgently address the security situation so that Haitians can go about their daily lives in a normal manner; safely access food, water and medical services; children can return to school; women can move around without fear of horrific abuses; and so that businesses can reopen,\u201d Caricom said.<\/p>\n
The published decree acknowledged what it called \u201ca multidimensional crisis\u201d that has worsened since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. It said the crisis has led to a \u201ccatastrophic humanitarian situation\u201d and that Haiti is experiencing \u201cunprecedented institutional dysfunction, which has led to a political impasse.\u201d<\/p>\n
It also noted that Henry would present his resignation once a new prime minister was appointed.<\/p>\n
The decree, signed by Henry and his Cabinet, noted that no one who has been sanctioned by the U.N., opposes the deployment of a foreign armed force or plans to run in the next general election can be a member of the council.<\/p>\n
Inauguration date<\/strong><\/p>\n
While an election date hasn\u2019t been set, the decree stated that the president-elect must be sworn in on February 7, 2026, at the latest, and that the council will exercise presidential powers until then.<\/p>\n
The council also will be responsible for helping set the agenda of a new Cabinet and will appoint members to form a provisional electoral council, which is needed before elections are held. It also will establish a national security council whose responsibilities have not been decided.<\/p>\n
The decree does not set any deadlines for choosing a new prime minister or Cabinet, stating only that the council must \u201cquickly\u201d do so.<\/p>\n
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\n<\/div>\nPeople cull through a garbage pile looking for salvageable items in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, April 6, 2024.<\/span> \n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
The council will be based at the National Palace, and its mandate is supposed to end when a new president is sworn in, with no possibility of extension. <\/p>\n
The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti posted on X that it would continue to closely follow the political process. It called for international support for Haiti\u2019s National Police, saying it was \u201cessential to restore security and the rule of law.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe reaffirm our commitment to supporting the country\u2019s institutions in their efforts to restore democratic institutions,\u201d Maria Isabel Salvador, the U.N. special envoy for Haiti, said in a statement.<\/p>\n
The council’s creation comes a month and one day after Caribbean leaders announced plans to help form it.<\/p>\n
Friday\u2019s development was cheered by those who believe the council could help steer Haiti in a new direction and help quell widespread gang violence. <\/p>\n
More than 1,550 people were killed across Haiti and more than 820 injured from January to March 22, according to the U.N.<\/p>\n
While gangs have long operated throughout Haiti, gunmen organized large-scale attacks starting February 29. They burned police stations, opened fire on the main international airport that remains closed and raided the country\u2019s two biggest prisons, freeing more than 4,000 inmates.<\/p>\n
The attacks were meant to prevent the return of Henry to Haiti. At the time, he was in Kenya pushing for the U.N.-backed deployment of a police force from the East African country. He remains locked out of Haiti.<\/p>\n
While the violence has somewhat subsided, gangs are still launching attacks throughout Port-au-Prince, especially in the downtown area, where they have seized control of Haiti’s biggest public hospital.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"Police](\"https:\/\/gdb.voanews.com\/01000000-0aff-0242-a47a-08dc5b426d71_w250_r0_s.jpg\"\/)
\n<\/div>\n![\"People](\"https:\/\/gdb.voanews.com\/01000000-0a00-0242-69d3-08dc5b426d73_w250_r0_s.jpg\"\/)
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