Haiti – Transition Council Dissolved, Power Transferred to U.S. Backed Prime Minister

2026-02-09 - 12:47

Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council has formally relinquished power to U.S.-backed Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, bringing an end to nearly two years of fragile transitional governance amid escalating gang violence that has claimed thousands of lives. The handover took place on Saturday under heavy security, reflecting the country’s volatile political and security environment. Fils-Aimé, a 54-year-old businessman, now stands as Haiti’s sole executive authority following the dissolution of the nine-member council. Addressing the prime minister during the official ceremony, Council President Laurent Saint-Cyr underscored the gravity of the moment. “Mr Prime Minister, in this historic moment, I know that you are gauging the depth of the responsibility you are taking on for the country,” he said. The transfer of power follows weeks of mounting tension within the council. In late January, several members moved to remove Fils-Aimé under circumstances that were never publicly disclosed. In response, the United States announced visa revocations for four unnamed council members and a cabinet minister, signaling Washington’s firm support for the prime minister’s leadership. Days before the council’s dissolution, the U.S. deployed a warship and two Coast Guard vessels to waters near Port-au-Prince, where armed gangs now control an estimated 90 percent of the capital. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized “the importance” of Fils-Aimé’s continued tenure, citing the need to confront what he described as “terrorist gangs” and to stabilize the country. The effort to oust Fils-Aimé ultimately collapsed as the council stepped aside during Saturday’s ceremony, clearing the way for him to assume full executive authority. Fils-Aimé now faces the formidable challenge of organizing Haiti’s first general elections in nearly a decade. The Transitional Presidential Council, created in 2024 in response to the political vacuum following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, was tasked with restoring order, improving security, and guiding the country toward democratic elections. Instead, the council became mired in internal disputes, questions surrounding its legitimacy, and allegations of corruption. Just six months after its formation, it removed then–Prime Minister Garry Conille and appointed Fils-Aimé as his successor. Despite its mandate to establish a clear electoral framework, the council repeatedly postponed key votes that were initially expected to lead to the selection of a new president by February. While tentative election dates were later announced for August and December, many observers remain skeptical that either a vote or a runoff will take place this year. Haiti’s security crisis continues to deepen. According to the United Nations, nearly 6,000 people were killed by gang violence last year alone, while approximately 1.4 million Haitians—roughly 10 percent of the population—have been displaced. Although the UN authorized a multinational security mission to assist Haitian police, progress has been slow. More than two years after approval, fewer than 1,000 personnel—primarily Kenyan police officers—have been deployed. The UN says it aims to reach a force of 5,500 troops by midyear or, at the latest, by November. With the council dissolved and executive power now consolidated, Fils-Aimé’s leadership will be closely watched as Haiti navigates one of the most precarious periods in its modern history.