Fritz Alphonse Jean has become president of Haiti’s transitional council, succeeding Leslie Voltaire in a ceremony amid ongoing violence from armed gangs. He pledges to enhance national security through a revised budget and new personnel training. The U.N. supports Haiti but cautions that effective peacekeeping is contingent upon reducing gang control. The upcoming elections by February 2026 remain controversial due to potential gang legitimization concerns.
Haitian economist Fritz Alphonse Jean has assumed the position of president of the transitional presidential council in a ceremony held at the Villa d’Accueil on Friday. He replaces architect Leslie Voltaire, following a contentious transitional process that began in October. This shift occurs amidst ongoing violence driven by armed gangs in Haiti, which complicates governance and public safety efforts.
During the ceremony, Jean expressed gratitude to Voltaire and emphasized the urgency of national unity in the face of conflict. He pledged to implement a revised budget for the war effort and announced plans to train over 3,000 new police and military personnel this year to address personnel shortages and strengthen security. The government’s allocation of approximately $227 million to national police funding, representing about 9% of the budget, remains insufficient for the challenges at hand.
The United Nations has deployed a mission in Haiti, consisting of roughly 1,000 troops, predominantly from Kenya, to assist in bolstering police forces. However, despite this assistance, armed gangs continue to expand their territorial control, displacing over one million people—approximately 10% of the nation’s population.
The U.N. has suggested that Haiti’s call for a more robust peacekeeping force is not viable unless there is a significant reduction in gang influence. Jean reaffirmed his commitment to hold upcoming elections by the constitutional deadline of February 7, 2026, despite concerns that such elections might legitimize gang leaders. Voltaire remarked that the transition took place in an atmosphere of “mutual respect, friendship, solidarity and continuity.”
Jean’s presidency is set to last until August 7 this year, after which businessman Laurent Saint-Cyr will assume leadership until the 2026 deadline. The transitional council, which was established in April of last year, continues to face criticism for its inability to effectively confront the escalating violence from armed gangs, including disapproval from the nation’s leading police unions.
The recent transition in Haiti’s presidential council marks a significant step amid the ongoing crisis exacerbated by armed groups. With Fritz Alphonse Jean now at the helm, there is a clear commitment to enhance national security through personnel training and budget reforms. However, challenges persist, including internal displacement and doubts regarding the upcoming electoral process’s legitimacy. This situation necessitates continued scrutiny and intervention from both local and international entities to restore stability and governance in Haiti.
Original Source: www.usnews.com
