Haiti's transitional council hands power to US-backed prime minister

"Move comes after council tried to oust PM Fils-Aime and the US recently deployed warship to waters near Haiti's capital. Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council has handed power to US-backed Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime after almost two years of tumultuous governance marked by rampant gang violence that has left thousands dead. The transfer of power between the nine-member transitional council and 54-year-old businessman Fils-Aime took place on Saturday under tight security, given Haiti's unstable political climate."

"In late January, several members of the council said they were seeking to remove Fils-Aime, leading the United States to announce visa revocations for four unidentified council members and a cabinet minister. Days before the council was dissolved, the US deployed a warship and two US coastguard boats to waters near Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, where gangs control 90 percent of the territory. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the importance of Fils-Aime's continued tenure to combat terrorist gangs and stabilise the island."

"Fils-Aime now faces the daunting task of organising the first general elections in a decade. The Transitional Presidential Council was established in 2024 as the country's top executive body, a response to a political crisis stretching back to the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. It quickly devolved into infighting, questions over its membership, and allegations of corruption falling overwhelmingly short of its mission to quell gang violence and improve life for Haitians."

Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council handed executive power to US-backed Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime after two years of governance marked by rampant gang violence that killed thousands. Several council members sought to remove Fils-Aime in late January, leading the US to revoke visas for four unidentified council members and a cabinet minister. Days before the council dissolved, the US deployed a warship and two coastguard boats near Port-au-Prince, where gangs control 90 percent of the territory. Fils-Aime must organise the first general elections in a decade. The council, formed in 2024 after President Jovenel Moise's 2021 assassination, devolved into infighting and corruption.

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