Haiti is at an inflection point as its new prime minister, Garry Conille faces an uphill battle against gangs, poverty, and corruption.

After a wave of gang violence forced Haiti’s prime minister Ariel Henry to resign, a transitional council was set up consisting of people representing various factions of Haitian society. First, the council selected former minister of sports, Fritz Bélizaire – a pick so unknown at least one of the voting members of the council had not heard of him, according to the Associated Press. Bélizaire’s announcement was rescinded after “critics said the proper protocols had not been followed.” Then, in May, the council selected Conille, a former U.N. official.

Years in the Making

Haiti’s political crises can be traced back all the way to their revolutionary founding. Their proximate troubles, though, began with, “the assassination of Haiti’s president Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 by a group of Colombian commandos hired by a Florida security company,” according to the NY Times. Ariel Henry, who was prime minister under Moïse, rose to power after support from “several nations, including the U.S.” The Haitian leader faced opposition after Haiti, “failed to hold elections multiple times,” according to NBC News.

During the transition period, Haitian gangs attacked “the national penitentiary and another prison in Port-au-Prince, killing several people and allowing thousands of inmates to escape into the city,” according to Voice of America.

Violence

Yet, despite electing a prime minister, violence still rages in Haiti. In July, “members of one of Haiti’s largest armed gangs attacked the town of Ganthier, about 25 miles east of the capital and on a road that the authorities say is used to smuggle weapons,” according to the New York Times. Now, Granthier, a town of 60,000 people, is empty.

To help quell the chaos, Kenya is leading a multinational police force in Haiti. This help comes as 40 police stations have been destroyed amidst the gang violence. However, Conille said the support “was arriving too slowly,” according to the New York Times.

In late July, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations announced $60 million in aid. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield’s office said the support, “will fill critical gaps in nutrition, food security, and shelter.”

Haiti’s Catholics

Amidst the ongoing violence in the country, Haiti’s Catholics have become a target. Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Max Leroy Mésidor, decried the “gang violence and widespread kidnappings.” The prelate said he is unable to visit two-thirds of his diocese because the roads are obstructed. Despite the challenges, “the Church continues to bring people together,” he said.