Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille was ousted by the country’s ruling transitional presidential council (TPC) less than six months after taking office. An executive order signed by eight of the nine council members replaced Garry Conille with businessman and former Senate candidate Alix Didier Fils-Aime, sparking political controversy over the legality of the move. Garry Conille, who took office on June 3, was appointed to address the nation’s security crisis, led by gang violence, and to help prepare for the country’s first presidential election since 2016.
Garry Conille denounced his removal, describing it as “illegal” in a letter seen by Reuters, stating that it raised “serious concerns” about the stability and governance of Haiti. Haiti’s constitution specifies that only parliament has the authority to dismiss a sitting prime minister. However, with both the presidency and parliament vacant, the TPC has assumed executive powers, functioning outside the traditional legal framework. “This resolution, taken outside any legal and constitutional framework, raises serious concerns about its legitimacy,” Garry Conille wrote.
The TPC was established in April to restore democratic order following the forced resignation of Garry Conille’s predecessor, Ariel Henry, who fled Haiti due to escalating gang violence. Henry left the country for a summit in Guyana on February 25, 2024. During his absence, gangs seized Port-au-Prince’s international airport, preventing his return and underscoring the severity of the security crisis that has gripped Haiti. Since Henry’s departure, the TPC has faced the immense challenge of stabilizing a nation increasingly controlled by armed groups.
Gang violence has exacted a heavy toll on Haiti, with over 3,600 reported deaths since January 2024, according to the United Nations, while over 500,000 people have been displaced. Additionally, nearly two million Haitians are experiencing emergency levels of hunger, and half of the population struggles to access sufficient food. The UN has highlighted the urgency of the humanitarian crisis, describing Haiti as one of the world’s poorest nations.
The power vacuum created by the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse has allowed gangs to extend their influence. Jimmy Chérizier, also known as “Barbecue,” a prominent gang leader, has indicated he would consider ending the violence if armed groups were granted a role in forming a new government.
In response to the escalating crisis, the international community has taken steps to support Haitian authorities. In recent months, Kenya deployed hundreds of police officers to Haiti, with more reinforcements scheduled to arrive in November. Meanwhile, the TPC faces mounting pressure to restore democratic order and address the pervasive gang violence that has destabilized Haiti and left much of the country without effective governance.
