Haiti recently appointed a new Cabinet as part of the government’s efforts to rebuild and address the country’s challenges, including being under siege by gangs. The new Cabinet includes ministers such as Carlos Hercules, who will serve as minister of justice and public security, and Prime Minister Garry Conille, who will also be the interior minister. The country is preparing for the deployment of a U.N.-backed police force from Kenya in response to the increasing violence caused by gangs in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Former Prime Minister Ariel Henry was forced to resign in April due to weeks of coordinated attacks by gangs, leading to the dissolution of his Cabinet. The violence included attacks on police stations, the main airport, and prisons, resulting in thousands of casualties and displacing half a million people. Conille has vowed to crack down on the violence, and his administration is focused on rebuilding and restoring stability to Haiti. The appointment of a new Cabinet is seen as a step in the right direction.
Critics have raised concerns about the lack of female representation in the new Cabinet, with only four women appointed out of the ministers. This is seen as a missed opportunity to include the voices and perspectives of women in the decision-making process during this critical time in Haiti’s democracy. The lack of female representation is seen as an insult to the millions of women and girls in Haiti, whose participation is essential for the success of the country’s transition.
One of the female ministers appointed is Ketleen Florestal, who will serve as the minister of economy and finance. She will be facing the challenge of addressing deepening poverty in Haiti, as well as high inflation rates and job losses caused by gang violence. The education minister, Antoine Augustin, will also face challenges as hundreds of schools in Port-au-Prince remain closed due to the violence. The Cabinet includes ministers with international experience, but many of their names are relatively unknown in Haitian politics.
The transitional council, responsible for appointing the new Cabinet, still has work to do. They need to appoint a provisional electoral commission before general elections can take place. Their mandate expires in 2026, when a new president is scheduled to be sworn in. Despite the challenges, the government is focused on rebuilding and restoring stability to Haiti, with the hope of addressing the root causes of violence and poverty in the country. The new Cabinet is seen as a step towards progress, but there is still much work to be done to ensure a successful transition and future for Haiti.
