Less than six months after his appointment, Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille has been ousted by the country’s ruling council. The decision, documented in an executive order signed by eight of the council’s nine members, appoints businessman and former Senate candidate Alix Didier Fils-Aime as Conille’s successor. The abrupt change in leadership adds to an already critical period for Haiti, which has been engulfed by a complex crisis dominated by gang violence, severe economic challenges, and a void in democratic leadership.
Conille’s Tenure and the Crisis in Haiti
Appointed on June 3, 2024, Conille a former United Nations official was expected to guide Haiti through the country’s most turbulent times and help set the stage for the nation’s first presidential elections since 2016. His tenure was marked by ongoing violence, with gang networks controlling significant parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and widespread displacement of citizens as a result of criminal activity. Despite the security crisis, Conille’s leadership seemed to be a hopeful bridge toward a semblance of order, at least temporarily, until elections could provide a legitimate path forward for governance.
Political and Legal Implications of the Ouster
Conille’s removal raises complex legal and constitutional questions. The prime minister has publicly decried his dismissal as “illegal,” expressing serious doubts about the future stability of Haiti. In a letter seen by Reuters, he asserted that the executive order lacked a legitimate foundation, arguing that only the Haitian parliament has the authority to dismiss a sitting prime minister under the constitution. Currently, however, Haiti is without a functioning parliament or president, amplifying concerns over the legality and democratic legitimacy of the Transitional Presidential Council’s (TPC) recent actions.
“This resolution, taken outside any legal and constitutional framework, raises serious concerns about its legitimacy,” Conille’s letter stated. The TPC, established in April 2024 after the forced departure of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, was formed as a provisional governing body. Henry’s tenure ended abruptly when, during an international summit in Guyana on February 25, 2024, he was unable to return to Haiti after gangs seized control of Port-au-Prince’s international airport. Conille’s departure now leaves the TPC as the interim governing authority tasked with restoring order.
Worsening Humanitarian Conditions and the Gang Crisis
The crisis in Haiti extends beyond political instability, with humanitarian concerns at an all-time high. The United Nations reports that over 3,600 people have been killed in gang-related violence since January 2024, and more than 500,000 Haitians have been forced to flee their homes. Haiti’s economic conditions are equally dire, with nearly half the population experiencing food insecurity. UN data reveals that two million Haitians face emergency levels of hunger, illustrating the severe strain on essential resources and services.
In a society plagued by such instability, armed groups have taken advantage of the power vacuum to assert control over vast areas of the country, turning it into a de facto lawless state. Jimmy Chérizier, also known as “Barbecue,” a prominent gang leader, has proposed a truce contingent on the inclusion of gang leaders in talks regarding Haiti’s governance. This controversial proposition underscores the profound influence that gang leaders currently wield and the unconventional avenues some believe are necessary to restore peace and order.
Kenya’s Role in Stabilizing Haiti
The international community has expressed concern over Haiti’s spiraling situation, prompting discussions about multilateral intervention to stabilize the country. Recently, Kenya took the significant step of deploying police officers to Haiti to help manage the country’s security crisis. Hundreds of Kenyan police officers are currently on the ground, with further reinforcements expected in the coming months. This intervention marks a notable involvement from an African nation in response to the Caribbean country’s security challenges, reflecting an evolving global solidarity approach to Haiti’s issues.
Path Forward: Elections and Governance Challenges
Haiti has not held a presidential election since Jovenel Moïse was elected in 2016, a political void that has since been exacerbated by his assassination in July 2021. In the aftermath of his death, gang activity has surged, turning much of the country into a battleground for control between various armed groups. The TPC’s primary objective is to oversee a transition to democratic governance, but recent events have cast doubt on whether they can effectively guide Haiti toward stable elections without further legal or civil conflict.
The dismissal of Prime Minister Conille underscores Haiti’s precarious situation, where governance operates under the threat of gang dominance and questions of legitimacy. As the nation waits for a political solution, the international community and regional stakeholders must navigate the challenges of humanitarian intervention, security, and the respect for democratic processes.
