New Prime Minister of Haiti was inaugurated
Businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime took office as Haiti’s new prime minister on Monday amidst a concerning gun attack on a passenger jet at the capital’s airport, highlighting the severe deterioration of law and order in the Caribbean nation.
Fils-Aime took over from the former Prime Minister Garry Conille, who was appointed in May but got involved in a power struggle with the unelected transitional council responsible for stabilizing the nation in crisis.
“Our transition involves significant tasks ahead. The initial crucial step, vital for achieving success, is to reinstate security,” stated Fils-Aime in his initial comments.
He mentioned his acknowledgment of the challenging situation in Haiti, yet assured to dedicate all his efforts, expertise, and loyalty to the country’s cause.
The challenges that lie ahead for him are quite intimidating, as demonstrated by the dramatic events unfolding in the skies above the capital city.
Spirit Airlines, a budget American carrier, announced that one of its flights from Florida experienced gunshots during landing at Port-au-Prince on Monday, requiring a diversion to the nearby Dominican Republic.
A flight attendant incurred minor injuries and is currently under evaluation by medical professionals, as indicated by the airline’s statement. Images shared on the internet seemingly depict multiple bullet holes within the aircraft’s cabin.
No injuries were sustained by any of the passengers.
The airport in Port-au-Prince has halted all commercial flights, according to a report by the Miami Herald. Additionally, American Airlines disclosed its decision to temporarily suspend service between Miami and the capital of Haiti until Thursday.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is a trade organization advocating for airlines, has expressed strong disapproval of the recent assaults on civil aviation in Haiti. It accentuates the pressing requirement for effective security measures to safeguard air operations.
It highlighted the concern over how the disorder could disrupt the flow of essential goods and humanitarian aid crucial for the people of Haiti.
– Turbulence in the political realm –
Just five months after his appointment, the outgoing premier, Conille, was removed by the nine-member transitional council last Sunday.
He has raised doubts about the council’s right to dismiss him, and the dispute risks exacerbating the already fragile situation in Haiti, where there has been no president since the assassination of leader Jovenel Moise in 2021.
A sitting parliament is not in place at the moment, and last elections took place way back in 2016.
The Caribbean nation has been facing challenges of political instability, poverty, natural disasters, and gang violence for quite some time.
In late February, the situation took a significant turn for the worse as armed groups carried out synchronized attacks in the capital, with the aim of toppling the then-prime minister, Ariel Henry.
Without being elected and lacking popularity, Henry gracefully resigned amidst the chaos, passing authority to the transitional council, supported by the United States and the region.
In spite of the recent deployment of a Kenyan-led police assistance mission, levels of violence have remained on the rise.
According to a recent report by the United Nations, over 1,200 individuals lost their lives in Haiti between July and September, amidst ongoing incidents of abductions and sexual assaults against women and girls.
In light of the recent political turmoil, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has called upon all factions in Haiti to collaborate positively in safeguarding the integrity of the transition process, as conveyed by his spokesperson on Monday.
Spokesman Stephane Dujarric pointed out that it is not within the purview of the Secretary General to select the prime minister of Haiti. The crucial aspect is for Haitian political leaders to prioritize the interests of Haiti above all else.
In recent years, gangs have seized control of around 80 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, as governmental presence dwindled.
According to the UN report, the gangs have resorted to new tactics such as digging trenches, employing drones, and stockpiling weapons in order to face off against the Kenyan-led police force.
Gang leaders have fortified their controlled zones by enhancing defenses and strategically positioning gas cylinders and Molotov cocktail bombs as weapons against potential police operations.
Over 700,000 individuals, with half of them being children, have been forced to leave their homes due to gang violence, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
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