New Government Formed in Haiti Amid Ongoing Gang Violence
The entire cabinet from former Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s administration has been replaced in Haiti’s latest effort to establish political stability. Henry, ousted by gangs controlling significant parts of the country, stepped down earlier this year.
Two weeks ago, Haiti’s transitional government council appointed Garry Conille as interim prime minister. According to a decree published in Haiti’s official gazette, Conille will also serve as the interior minister.
The establishment of this new cabinet marks a step towards stabilizing a nation plagued by prolonged violence and uncertainty. The transitional council has filled all key cabinet positions, a spokeswoman confirmed.
Garry Conille, seen attending a ceremony with transition council members in a suit and tie, will act as both prime minister and interior minister. Carlos Hercules, Conille’s attorney, has been appointed as the minister for justice and public security, while Haiti’s ambassador to UNESCO, Dominique Dupuy, will assume the role of foreign affairs minister. Princeton-educated Ketleen Florestal will take over the finance ministry from Michel Patrick Boisvert, who also served as interim prime minister earlier this year.
These initial steps towards normalcy have offered some encouragement to Haitians, especially with the recent reopening of the country’s international airport. However, many remain deeply concerned about the daunting challenges ahead for the new cabinet. Gangs continue to control most of Port-au-Prince and refuse to acknowledge the legitimacy of the interim council or its leadership.
Last year, a UN-backed security force led by Kenya was promised to support the struggling Haitian police, but it has yet to be deployed. Although Kenyan President William Ruto reaffirmed his support for the deployment of around 1,000 Kenyan police officers to restore order in a recent BBC interview, the force remains absent.
Henry agreed to resign in March after armed groups prevented his return from Kenya, where he had held discussions with President Ruto. Following his departure, gangs exploited the power vacuum, expanding their control and rendering parts of the country lawless.
A recent United Nations report described the situation in Haiti as “cataclysmic,” revealing that over 1,500 people were killed and 800 injured in the first three months of 2024 alone. The report highlighted the extreme violence and sexual abuse employed by gangs to maintain control. Aid organizations have faced significant challenges in delivering food and water to the capital, with millions on the brink of famine.
Haiti’s turmoil deepened following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, leaving the nation in disarray. Gangs have since increased their dominance, displacing thousands of civilians. The country has been without a president since Moïse’s assassination and currently lacks a sitting parliament.
Haiti: Key Facts
- Population: Approximately 11.5 million
- Land Area: 27,800 sq km, comparable to Belgium and the US state of Maryland
- Challenges: Chronic instability, dictatorships, natural disasters
- 2010 Earthquake: Over 200,000 deaths, significant infrastructure and economic damage
- UN Involvement: Peacekeeping force from 2004 to 2017
- Recent Events: Assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, ongoing gang violence, no sitting president or parliament
