Haiti’s Interim Prime Minister Garry Conille forms new government

Haiti’s transitional council has unveiled a new government, replacing all former cabinet members of ex-Prime Minister Ariel Henry, as part of efforts to address the nation’s economic challenges and rampant gang violence.

The announcement on Tuesday follows the council’s appointment of Garry Conille, a former regional director for UNICEF, as interim prime minister two weeks earlier.

Several members of the new cabinet come from outside Haiti’s traditional political circles.

Dominique Dupuy, Haiti’s representative at UNESCO, will serve as the country’s foreign minister. Additionally, Conille will take on the role of interior minister, a key position overseeing the Haitian National Police.

Haitian authorities have been grappling with escalating gang violence. Over the past three years, armed groups have carried out coordinated attacks nationwide, blocked fuel terminals, and raided police stations in Port-au-Prince and other cities.

The unrest has been worsened by multiple crises affecting Haiti’s population of over 11.5 million. The country has endured periodic natural disasters, food insecurity, a cholera outbreak, and long-standing political instability, including the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.

Following Moïse ‘s assassination, then-Prime Minister Henry became the de facto leader. However, his legitimacy was questioned after he indefinitely postponed Haiti’s presidential and legislative elections. Henry resigned in April, allowing a transitional presidential council to assume control.

The international community has been advocating for a multinational security force to help restore order in Haiti, with Kenya set to lead the mission.

Kenyan President William Ruto announced that UN-backed international officers would soon be deployed to the Caribbean nation.

“The people of Haiti are perhaps waiting, by the grace of God, that within the next week or the following week, we will send our police officers to restore peace,” Ruto said on Sunday.