Haiti’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Garry Conille, has vowed to seek unity and a brighter future in a nation besieged by gang violence and political turmoil.
Conille’s appointment comes as a beacon of hope for many Haitians, who are desperate for stability and peace in the troubled Caribbean country.
In his first statement since being selected by a transitional council, Conille expressed gratitude to the civil society groups, political parties, and members of the Haitian diaspora who supported his candidacy.
“Together, we will work for a better tomorrow for all the children of our nation,” he wrote on X.
Conille resigned from his position as UNICEF’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean on Tuesday, May 28, a role he had held since January 2023.
His experience includes a previous stint as Haiti’s Prime Minister from October 2011 to May 2012 under then-President Michel Martelly.
With a background in medicine and public health, Conille has been instrumental in developing healthcare in impoverished Haitian communities and coordinating reconstruction efforts following the devastating 2010 earthquake.
He also served as a UN development specialist before his tenure with UNICEF.
The Monumental Challenge Ahead
The new Prime Minister faces a daunting task. Gangs currently control at least 80% of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital.
The country is awaiting the deployment of a UN-backed police force from Kenya and other nations to help restore order.
The political landscape is equally fraught, with the presidency vacant since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, creating a power vacuum that gangs have exploited.
Transitional Council and Future Elections
The transitional council, which selected Conille, is also responsible for organizing presidential elections by early 2026.
On May 28, council members announced that six out of seven voting members had chosen Conille as Prime Minister. Laurent St. Cyr, the seventh member, did not vote as he is currently outside of Haiti.
The council emphasized its commitment to combating insecurity and steering the country towards free, fair, and inclusive elections.
“The transitional presidential council renews its firm determination to do everything possible to stem the phenomenon of insecurity and lead the country on the path to free, fair, democratic, and inclusive elections.”
A New Cabinet and Continuing Violence
Conille is set to replace interim Prime Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert, who had been in office since former Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned in April 2024 amid escalating gang violence.
The violence peaked on February 29, when gunmen launched coordinated attacks, seizing police stations, firing on the main international airport (which remained closed for nearly three months), and storming Haiti’s two largest prisons, freeing over 4,000 inmates. The violence has not abated since.
Boisvert congratulated Conille on his appointment, expressing hope that he would successfully address the nation’s current challenges. It remains unclear whether there will be a formal swearing-in ceremony for Conille.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell extended her best wishes to Conille, hoping he would bring “much-needed peace, stability, and hope to the children of Haiti.”
Conille’s appointment was not without controversy. In late April, a faction within the transitional council had initially announced former sports minister Fritz Bélizaire as Prime Minister, a move that nearly fractured the council.
Following this, the council opened nominations for the prime ministerial position, receiving numerous suggestions but maintaining a veil of secrecy over the selection criteria, drawing criticism for its lack of transparency.
The transitional council’s mandate includes forming a new Cabinet and appointing a provisional electoral commission to oversee the upcoming elections. The non-renewable term expires on February 7, 2026, when a new president is expected to be sworn in.
READ ALSO: Bawumia’s Fiscal Reform Agenda: Proposals to Rein in Government Spending
