Haitian Civil Society Proposes New Transition Plan Amid Looming Power Vacuum

With Haiti’s interim presidential council’s mandate ending on February 7, 2026, a major civil society group has proposed a new transitional framework to prevent a power vacuum and guide the nation toward elections.

The Civil Society Initiative (ISC) stated the current council has failed to meet its core goals of restoring security, reviving the economy, and organizing votes. Its mandate, per a 2024 agreement, cannot be extended.

Warning that a vacant presidency is untenable amid gang violence threatening the state, the ISC calls for a national consultation. Its proposal, “Proposal for Completing the Transition,” suggests a 17-member deliberative assembly to manage the process, chaired by the current council’s coordinator.

The assembly would include representatives from political coalitions, business, labor, agriculture, religion, human rights groups, and regional diaspora communities.

The plan outlines criteria for new executive leadership. An interim president would be chosen for competence from civil society or senior state institutions.

The prime minister could be the current officeholder or a civil society figure, with both roles barred from political party members to reduce partisanship.

The target date for swearing in an elected president is February 7, 2027. The new leadership and assembly would also evaluate the cabinet for continuity or change.

The proposal is signed by ISC leaders Lionel Rabel and Rosny Desroches.