Haiti is set to hold a formal ceremony to install the transitional ruling council early Thursday, marking a significant step towards forming an interim government in the violence-plagued nation. The event will take place at the prime minister’s office, Villa d’Accueil, in the Musseau neighborhood of the capital.
The nine-member body, known as the Presidential Transition Council, is tasked with filling the leadership vacuum in Haiti, which has been reeling from a surge in violence since late February. Gangs launched a series of attacks in the capital, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
According to the United Nations, the violence has displaced hundreds of thousands of Haitians and pushed millions into “acute hunger.” Prime Minister Henry, who assumed leadership following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, agreed to step aside in mid-March to make way for the council.
After weeks of political infighting, the council was formally decreed on April 12, paving the way for the installation ceremony. The council faces the daunting task of naming an interim prime minister and government, as well as preparing for presidential elections by February 2026.
However, challenges remain, including the response of powerful gangs like Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier’s G9 alliance, which controls parts of Port-au-Prince and was excluded from transitional talks. The international community, including a UN-backed force led by Kenya, has yet to deploy to Haiti to help address the escalating crisis.
As Haiti navigates this critical juncture, the world watches closely to see how the transitional council will steer the nation towards stability and democracy amidst unprecedented challenges.