Businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime was yesterday officially sworn in as Haiti’s new Prime Minister, facing an immediate and harrowing reminder of the security challenges ahead. As Fils-Aime took office, a passenger airliner attempting to land at Port-au-Prince’s international airport was struck by gunfire, underscoring the chaotic and perilous conditions that currently grip the Caribbean nation.
This violent incident is only the latest in a series of attacks that illustrate the profound security crisis and lawlessness affecting Haiti, a nation without an elected president or parliament since the assassination of former President Jovenel Moise in 2021. The swearing-in of Fils-Aime marks a significant leadership shift as he replaces Garry Conille, the outgoing premier, who had been appointed in May but fell out with Haiti’s transitional council. Tasked with stabilizing Haiti, the council is an unelected body responsible for guiding the nation through its transitional phase.
Fils-Aime acknowledged the country’s daunting challenges in his first remarks, emphasizing the urgent need to restore security. “We have a transition with lots of work to do: the first essential job, which is a condition for success, is restoring security,” he said, promising to “put all of [his] energy, [his] skills, and [his] patriotism at the service of the national cause.”
The incident at the airport only highlighted these challenges. The aircraft, operated by Spirit Airlines and traveling from Florida, came under fire during its approach to the Port-au-Prince airport. The flight was ultimately diverted to the Dominican Republic, and one flight attendant suffered minor injuries. Images circulating on social media showed multiple bullet holes inside the cabin, though fortunately, no passengers were harmed.
In response, Port-au-Prince’s airport has suspended all commercial flights. American Airlines also announced a temporary suspension of its Miami-to-Haiti route, citing concerns over safety. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), representing airlines worldwide, condemned the attack on civil aviation and called for stronger security measures in Haiti, stressing that unchecked violence threatens the movement of goods and humanitarian aid both essential for the Haitian population.
Despite international efforts to stabilize Haiti, violent gangs have entrenched themselves, controlling about 80 percent of Port-au-Prince. In response to the chaos, the Haitian government enlisted the support of 400 Kenyan police officers, who have been joined by additional forces from the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Belize. By the end of November, over 600 more personnel are expected to arrive to bolster the mission. However, a recent United Nations report revealed that violence remains rampant, with over 1,200 deaths recorded between July and September, alongside widespread incidents of kidnapping and sexual violence.
For Fils-Aime, the recent attack serves as a stark indication of the urgent need for security reform. Conditions in Haiti deteriorated sharply at the end of February, when coordinated gang attacks attempted to destabilize the government, with the goal of overthrowing then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Since then, violence has continued to soar despite the Kenyan-led police mission. The UN report highlights that gangs have fortified their defenses, digging trenches, stockpiling weapons, and employing drones to fend off security forces. Many gang-controlled zones are heavily fortified, with gas cylinders and Molotov cocktails prepared to combat police incursions.
The violence has forced over 700,000 people, including half a million children, to flee their homes, according to the International Organization for Migration. In total, nearly 4,900 people have been killed between January and September, with the UN Human Rights Office reporting severe cases of sexual violence against women and girls.
As the new prime minister, Fils-Aime faces a monumental task of navigating political infighting and a fragile transitional government while tackling gang violence and social unrest. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on all parties in Haiti to work constructively to uphold the transitional process. “It’s not for the Secretary-General to choose who will be the prime minister of Haiti,” Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated. “What is important is that Haitian political leaders put the interests of Haiti first and foremost.”
With Haiti’s future hanging in the balance, Fils-Aime’s leadership will be crucial in steering the nation toward stability. However, the question remains: can this new government bring the change and security desperately needed, or will Haiti continue to spiral further into crisis?
