Haiti to Establish Transitional Council Amid Spiraling Crisis

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico - A U.S. diplomat has announced the imminent creation of a transitional council responsible for selecting Haiti's next leaders. According to Brian A. Nichols, U.S. assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, the nine-member council could be formally established in Haiti as early as this week. This announcement was made during a heated forum about Haiti's spiraling crisis at an event organized by the Council on Foreign Relations in New York.

Haiti is facing a severe power vacuum as the prime minister remains locked out of the country, and relentless gang violence has engulfed the Port-au-Prince capital and surrounding communities. The situation has forced more than 53,000 people to flee the area in recent weeks, leading to the closure of the main seaport and airport. This has severely disrupted the flow of critical aid, resulting in a sharp increase in hunger and illnesses.

Nichols emphasized the severity of the crisis, stating, "There is no greater humanitarian crisis in the world today than what is going on in Haiti."

Since the beginning of the turmoil, more than 1,550 people have been killed, and over 800 have been injured as of late March, as reported by the U.N. Human Rights Office.

Formation of the Transitional Council

The transitional council, consisting of seven members with voting powers, will be tasked with choosing Haiti's next prime minister and Cabinet. However, Nichols cautioned that the creation of the council is not expected to immediately resolve the country's deep-rooted troubles, stressing that multiple solutions are needed to address Haiti's complex challenges.

Confrontation and Criticism

During the forum, Nichols faced criticism from Monique Clesca, a Haitian writer and member of the Montana Group, for the U.S.'s support of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Clesca accused Henry of incompetence and held him responsible for the country's deteriorating conditions. She challenged the U.S.'s initial backing of Henry and urged reflection on past policies, questioning whether there were failures that could provide valuable lessons for the future.

Gangs' Role and Social Reformation

Concerns were raised about the absence of the gangs controlling 80% of Port-au-Prince in negotiations or the creation of the transitional council. While acknowledging the importance of broad, inclusive dialogue, Nichols emphasized the need to prioritize the interests of law-abiding citizens over those of the gangs. He stressed the necessity of addressing the root causes of gang membership, including providing access to education, job opportunities, and training programs.

Clesca echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need for a shift in social identity towards prioritizing education and employment opportunities.