PRINCE PORT.- In a crucial step towards political stabilization in Haitihe Transition Councilassuming the leadership of the State after the resignation of the Prime Minister Ariel Henryappointed Edgard Leblanc Son as president of the governing body in a ceremony held in Port-au-Prince.
Leblanc will take on a central role as coordinator of the Presidential Council, which was established last week with the purpose of restoring peace to a country ravaged by gang violence.
“Today, Tuesday, April 30, a well-known president (…) who will coordinate the council, according to the agreement reached between the different political entities,” said Frinel Joseph, one of the members of the government body, during the ceremony .
The nine members of the council, seven of them with voting rights and two as observers, were sworn in and assumed their positions last week. These represent the main political parties, civil society and the private sector.
Leblanc is a member of the Collective of Political Parties of January 30, an alliance that opposed Henry. Additionally, he worked as Haiti’s sports minister during René Préval’s second presidential term, from 2006 to 2011.
The Transitional Council will act as the country’s presidency until it can organize presidential elections shortly before disintegrating, which should occur in February 2026 or earlier.
Violence in Haiti
Since late February, Haiti has seen an upsurge in violence, with powerful allied gangs burning down police stations, opening fire on the main international airport, which has remained closed since March, and storming Haiti’s two largest prisons, freeing more than 4,000 prisoners. The country’s main seaport also remains largely paralyzed by gang violence.
More than 90,000 people have fled Port-au-Prince within a month and, in total, more than 360,000 people have been left homeless in recent years as groups of gunmen have devastated communities in rival territories.
Henry, who had been leading the country in an unelected manner since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, formalized last week his resignation announced in March, under pressure from the international community.
Source: With information from AFP and AP
