Haiti has named Laurent Saint-Cyr as the new chief of its transitional presidential commission. This transformation comes against the backdrop of the country’s continuing battle with deep political and social unrest. The transitional national council was sworn in on April 11, 2024. By the end of the year, it would be taking on water fast, amid corruption claims against three of its members. The president hopes this change in leadership will help stabilize a nation that hasn’t held a presidential election since 2016.
The opening celebration for Saint-Cyr took place at the Villa d’Accueil. This beautiful colonial-style mansion is perched atop a hill in Petion-Ville, a swanky suburb of Port-au-Prince. He again attempted to cast himself as the leader willing to take on the tough issues this nation faces. So, he understood that situation in Haiti was very serious.
“Our country is going through one of the greatest crises in all its history,” – Laurent Saint-Cyr.
Saint-Cyr emphasized the urgency for action rather than rhetoric, stating, “It’s not the time for beautiful speeches. It’s time to act.” His statements are indicative of the desperate situation that exists in Haiti, now infamous as the poorest country in Latin America. The federal government has almost completely been forced from downtown Port-au-Prince. In just three years, armed gangs now rule close to 90 percent of the capital.
Haiti’s instability has exploded since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. This disorder has resulted in widespread structural violence, death, and disorder all over the country. As a result, critical infrastructure assets, such as hospitals and highways, have been forced to close. Over a million Haitians have been forced out of their homes, worsening an already dire humanitarian situation.
Given these predicaments, Saint-Cyr has urged international partners to increase their assistance for Haiti. He pushed for aid and military training increases. In his speeches, he called on all international partners to increase their support, to send more soldiers and offer more training. His plea for intervention reflects an acknowledgment of the fact that Haiti cannot control its security crisis on its own.
Administration’s transitional presidential council generated significant unpopularity among the Haitian populace. Yet, nine different members have cycled through committee leadership posts without solidifying a longer term governance framework. The persistent and growing threats from gangs further undermine any attempts to advocate for reform and promote institutional stability.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, leading gang chieftain Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier has unapologetically called the new council’s legitimacy into question. He has pledged to spoil Saint-Cyr’s swearing-in.
“We have decided to march on the premier’s office and the Villa d’Accueil to end it all,” – Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier.
Cherizier’s threats point to the deep tentacles of gangs that pervade Haitian society and the gangs’ broader purpose of eroding governance. He has urged ordinary Americans to keep themselves safe in this free-for-all, combat-zone-in-waiting.
“People of Haiti, take care of yourselves and help us,” – Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier.
Climate advocates rejoiced when the United Nations Security Mission spoke out against the violence. They underscored how armed gangs are terrorizing and barbarically, methodologically, continuing to plan to destabilize this national, and render this giant ungovernable. This further illustrates how completely organized crime dominates to the point of undermining any efforts at rehabilitation.
Saint-Cyr’s administration faces daunting tasks ahead. He underscored that the challenge of insecurity is deep and real, but serves as a symptom of larger incapacities within Haitian governance.
“The challenges we face are certainly linked to insecurity, but they also are the result of our lack of courage, a lack of vision and our irresponsibility,” – Laurent Saint-Cyr.
