Haiti’s Transitional Council Appoints Fritz Bélizaire as Prime Minister
A New Prime Minister Emerges as Haiti Battles Rising Violence
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — In an attempt to establish a stable new government amidst escalating violence, Haiti’s newly installed transitional council has selected former Sports Minister Fritz Bélizaire as the country’s prime minister.
Bélizaire, a relatively unknown figure, replaces Michel Patrick Boisvert, the former minister of economy and finance and the current interim prime minister. The nine-member transitional council, with seven members vested with voting rights, decided to elect a new prime minister and Cabinet to quell the rampant gang violence alarming the capital, Port-au-Prince, and beyond. Bélizaire garnered the support of four voting council members.
The announcement of Bélizaire as the new prime minister stunned the attendees of the council’s gathering. Leslie Voltaire, a voting council member, expressed unfamiliarity with Bélizaire, reflecting the surprise expressed by others. Bélizaire previously served as Haiti’s sports minister from 2006 to 2011 during the second presidency of René Préval.
Efforts to Address Haiti’s Security Crisis
The transitional council recently held discussions with army and police officials to address Haiti’s pressing security crisis and devise potential solutions to resolve it. Council president Edgard Leblanc Fils, a former presidential candidate, voiced his support for Bélizaire as a prime ministerial candidate, emphasizing the importance of unity and consensus to overcome Haiti’s divisions and conflicts.
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, council member Louis Gérald Gilles stated, “The Haitian population can no longer wait. The security issue is essential for societal calm.” The council plans to continue its deliberations regarding the selection of the Cabinet, though no immediate announcement is expected.
An Unconventional and Unlikely Alliance
The selection of Bélizaire enjoyed the majority support of voting council members Smith Augustin, Gilles, and Emmanuel Vertilaire. The unity among these members was considered an “unlikely” alliance and raises questions about its potential longevity. Notably, Fils represents the January 30 political group, Augustin represents the EDE/RED political party, Gilles is associated with the Dec. 21 agreement, and Vertilaire is linked to the Pitit Desalin party, led by influential politician Jean-Charles Moïse.
A Glimmer of Hope Amidst Violence
The daunting task of establishing an effectual government in Haiti falls upon the transitional council’s shoulders. Haiti has suffered under coordinated gang attacks since February 29, resulting in the destruction of police stations, closure of the main international airport, prison breakouts, and widespread gang violence. With over 90,000 people already fleeing the capital and 360,000 rendered homeless in recent years, security and stability are now paramount for Haitians.
Haitians, desperate for change, are anxiously awaiting tangible results from the transitional government. The council is expected to support the deployment of a Kenyan police force, backed by the United Nations, in the ongoing fight against the gangs. The fate of the previous prime minister, Ariel Henry, who remains locked out of Haiti, and the prospect of a forthcoming presidential election before February 2026 also loom large over the country’s path to stability.
