Haiti’s embattled government has gotten closer to restoring democratic processes, announcing the formation of a provisional electoral council tasked with organizing the country’s first general elections since 2016, Al Jazeera reports.
The council, which represents diverse groups including farmers, journalists, human rights activists, and the Vodou community, is scheduled to establish a legal framework for the elections, set to be held by 2026.
The council, officially created on Wednesday, currently comprises seven members, according to the prime minister’s office. Two remaining seats, dedicated to human rights groups and women’s rights organizations, are yet to be filled. Smith Augustin, a member of the transitional presidential council, has assured the Associated Press that the remaining delegates will be announced shortly.
This move comes amidst Haiti’s prolonged political instability, exacerbated by the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021 and the subsequent power vacuum. The country has been grappling with a severe security crisis, with armed gangs controlling a significant portion of Port-au-Prince and other areas.
The establishment of this new electoral council follows the dissolution of a previous council in 2021 under former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was forced to resign earlier this year. The interim government has since appointed Garry Conille as the new prime minister.
The upcoming elections are a crucial step towards restoring stability and democratic governance in Haiti. The council’s formation marks a glimmer of hope for a country struggling with a complex web of challenges.
Meanwhile, the ongoing UN-backed anti-gang operation in Haiti, with only Kenya and Jamaica contributing forces, faces an uncertain future. The mission’s mandate is set to expire in early October, and the UN Security Council is expected to vote on a resolution that could either renew the mission or transform it into a formal UN peacekeeping operation.
