Haiti's transitional presidential council has taken over in what many hope marks a first step towards returning security to a country where escalating gang control has plunged millions into a humanitarian crisis. But some Haitians are skeptical it will make a difference.

Port-au-Prince

Haiti has seen the establishment of a transitional presidential council, a development that is being watched with a mix of hope and skepticism by the populace. The council's inauguration comes nearly three years after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, amidst a backdrop of escalating gang violence that has significantly undermined the nation's security. This move towards a transitional government is broadly seen as a potential pivotal moment for Haiti, aiming to steer the country back towards stability and order.

In Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, the day-to-day reality is a vivid illustration of the challenges facing the country. Armored vehicles and heavily armed police are common sights, patrolling the streets in an effort to contain the anarchy that has become a defining element of life here. Despite the formal transition of power and the introduction of the council, many residents express doubts about the effectiveness of this new governance structure in combating the entrenched problems of gang control and violence.

Skepticism among Haitians largely stems from concerns over the resources consumed by the new council, with critics pointing out that the lavish security measures and perks provided to council members could further strain the nation's already precarious financial situation. The sentiment on the ground suggests a craving for tangible improvements in security and quality of life, highlighting a deep-seated frustration with ongoing instability and crime.

The international community, including the United States and the United Nations, has shown support for Haiti's steps towards transitional governance, emphasizing the need for the council to implement a credible set of policies aimed at addressing the core issues plaguing the country. Haiti's predicament is further compounded by the dominance of around 150 armed gangs in Port-au-Prince alone. These groups exert control over 80% of the capital, a stark indicator of the enormity of the challenge facing the country’s under-equipped and understaffed security forces.

As Haiti navigates this critical juncture, the focus now shifts to the council's ability to enact meaningful change, particularly in restoring security and stability. The Haitian people's desire for safety and a return to normalcy underscores the urgent need for effective leadership and governance in overcoming the country’s deep-rooted problems.



Haitians demand new leaders find swift solutions to gang violence

This is what a normal day looks like in the Haitian capital. Armoured vehicles and heavily armed police patrol the streets of Port-au-Prince. It's hoped Haiti's new transitional presidential council will bring an end to the anarchy that has swept the country. Thursday, almost three years after President Jovenel Moise was assassinated, its nine members were sworn in. But residents of the capital, grown used to gang warfare, are sceptical it will make a difference. If it was a serious project, we'd have only one president. But with this, every member of the council will have at least six cars in their convoy. The state will pay everything as usual. That's why this country is going nowhere. The members of the council will need lots of security to protect them. That will be extremely costly. For every member of the council, there will be an entire family benefiting too. The country will be plunged into yet more misery. Both the U.S. and the U.N. have welcomed the swearing-in of the new transitional government. But they've also urged its members to announce a credible series of policies. All nine of the council's members have the unenviable task of bringing order and stability to a country that has fallen apart, where gangs hold power. If the presidential council wants to do things properly, it needs to start by bringing us security. Our biggest problem is insecurity, and that's why nothing works. We want to feel good, to go out without being scared, so that our children can go back to school. For years, armed gangs have been running rampant in Haiti. Roughly 150 criminal groups operate in Port-au-Prince alone. Haiti's security forces, under-equipped and short-staffed, are simply no match for the gangs, who control 80 percent of the capital. are simply no match for the gangs, who control 80 percent of the capital.

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