Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille has been dismissed by the country’s transitional ruling council, a move he has condemned as illegal and unconstitutional. The executive order, signed by eight of nine members of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), appoints businessman and former Senate candidate Alix Didier Fils-Aimé as Conille’s replacement. Conille, who assumed office less than six months ago, was expected to lead Haiti through a period of extreme instability and oversee preparation for long-overdue presidential elections.
In a letter obtained by Reuters, Conille argued that his removal was unlawful, raising “serious concerns” about the future of Haiti. According to the Haitian constitution, only parliament holds the authority to dismiss a sitting prime minister. However, with the country lacking both a president and an active parliament, Haiti’s transitional council—formed to guide the nation through its security and governance crises—has exercised sweeping, albeit controversial, powers.
“This resolution, taken outside any legal and constitutional framework, raises serious concerns about its legitimacy,” Conille wrote, questioning the council’s right to issue such an order.
A Power Vacuum and Escalating Violence
TPC was established in April 2024 after Conille’s predecessor, Ariel Henry, was ousted from office amid escalating gang violence. Henry had left Haiti for an international summit in February and was unable to return after armed groups seized control of Port-au-Prince’s international airport, effectively cutting off his access to the capital.
Haiti has endured an unprecedented wave of violence in 2024, with more than 3,600 people killed and over 500,000 displaced due to gang-related conflicts, according to the United Nations. Gang leaders have taken advantage of the political vacuum left by the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 to expand their control across Port-au-Prince and or regions, leaving parts of the country lawless. UN reports that nearly two million Haitians face emergency levels of hunger, with half the population struggling with food insecurity.
Jimmy Chérizier’s Offer and Ongoing Foreign Intervention
One of Haiti’s most influential gang leaders, Jimmy Chérizier, known as “Barbecue,” previously stated his willingness to halt violence if armed groups were included in discussions for establishing a new government. Chérizier’s proposal reflects the complex relationship between Haiti’s transitional council and armed groups, which continue to exert control over significant territories.
In response to the escalating crisis, Kenya deployed hundreds of police officers to Haiti last month, with additional personnel expected to arrive in November. This international support aims to help stabilize Haiti, though questions remain about the effectiveness of intervention given the entrenched power of gangs in the region.
Political Uncertainty and Road Ahead
dismissal of Conille signals further political instability, as Haiti’s TPC struggles to enforce its authority without the formal backing of a functioning government. Conille’s abrupt removal underscores the tension between the council’s stated mission of restoring democratic order and the extra-constitutional actions it has taken to maintain control.
As Haiti prepares for its first presidential election since 2016, the council faces immense pressure to restore peace and security. With violence continuing to disrupt daily life and the humanitarian crisis deepening, the new appointee, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, will face the formidable challenge of balancing the demands of gang leaders, international allies, and Haitian people. The international community is watching closely as the Caribbean nation teeters on the edge of further instability, hoping for a path back to democratic governance amidst the chaos.
