On Tuesday, November 12, US diplomacy called on the political leaders of Haiti, a poor Caribbean country undermined by violence, to overcome their “personal interests”the day after the appointment of a new prime minister by the Transitional Presidential Council.
“The immediate needs of the Haitian people require that the transitional government prioritize governance over competition between the personal interests of political actors”said Matthew Miller, spokesman for the US State Department, in a press release celebrating the appointment, on Monday, of Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.
The United States, historically very involved in the successive crises that hit Haiti, including militarily, has “Welcomed the commitment of the Transitional Presidential Council and the new Prime Minister to adopt an action plan that defines their vision to strengthen security and governance and that paves the way for free and fair elections”.
Chronic political instability and resurgence of gang violence
Monday, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé ” engaged “ has “restore security” in this country plunged into total chaos, when an American plane was attacked in Port-au-Prince before being diverted to the Dominican Republic. He also promised “work tirelessly (…) to cohesion » politics of the country.
Initially opposed to his dismissal, the latter “taken note” of the appointment of his successor and promised ” unit “ AND “solidarity”, “essential for our country”in a message on Tuesday the X.
After only five months in power, the outgoing head of government, Garry Conille, was dismissed on Monday, against his will and after a conflict with the Transitional Presidential Council.
Haiti has suffered from chronic political instability for decades. But in recent months, the country has had to face a new resurgence of violence from gangs, which control 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
These armed groups, accused of numerous murders, rapes, looting and kidnappings for ransom, decided at the beginning of the year to join forces to overthrow the then Prime Minister, Ariel Henry.
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On Monday, US low-cost airline Spirit Airlines was attacked just before landing in Port-au-Prince, before being diverted to the Dominican Republic. The incident, which could have caused an air disaster, caused a “slightly injured” among the crew, and bullet holes were observed in the cabin and cockpit of the Airbus, according to videos posted on social media. On Tuesday the airport was still closed.
Companies have already suspended their connections between the United States and Haiti, and the International Air Transport Association has “called on the Haitian government to act immediately to protect airlines and restore confidence in the country’s aviation sector”.
All US civilian flights to Haiti are banned for one month, the federal aviation regulator announced Tuesday, issuing a ban notice for “United States civil aviation operations in the territory and airspace of Haiti below 10,000 feet for a period of thirty days”.
