After weeks of deliberation, Haiti's transitional presidential council has announced a new cabinet aimed at rebuilding the government to address the escalating gang violence.
The council officials made the announcement public on Tuesday, revealing a cabinet comprising 14 ministers. Among them is the new Prime Minister, Garry Conille, who will also serve as the Minister of Interior.
Other members of the cabinet include Carlos Hercules as the Minister of Justice and Public Security, Jean-Marc Berthier Antoine as the Minister of Defense, and Dominique Dupuy as the Foreign Affairs Minister and Minister of Haitians Living Abroad.
In the latest reshuffle, Ketleen Florestal assumes the role of Minister of Economy and Finance as well as Minister of Planning and External Cooperation. Vernet Joseph is appointed as the Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development, while Raphaël Hosty takes on the responsibilities of the Minister of Public Works, Transport, and Communications.
James Monazard is designated as the Minister of Commerce and Industry, alongside the role of Minister of Tourism, while Georges Wilbert Franck assumes the responsibilities of the Minister of Social Affairs and Labour.
The new cabinet also involves Moïse Jean-Pierre Fils as the Minister of Environment, Antoine Augustine as Minister of National Education and Vocation Training and Minister of Culture and Communication, Georges Fils Brignol as Minister of Public Health and Population, Marie Françoise Suzan as Minister of Status of Women and Women's Rights and Niola Lynn Sarah Devalis Octavius as Member of Youth and Sports and Civic Action.
This new cabinet is expected to set the stage for the deployment of 1,000 Kenyan troops who will lead the peacekeeping mission.
Deployment of Kenyan troops to the Caribbean nation will be conducted in the next two weeks as announced by President William Ruto earlier in the week.
The deployment has faced several challenges since Kenya agreed to lead the mission in 2023.
One of the challenges was the resignation of Henry Ariel as the Prime Minister in March, this created a gap in the leadership of Haiti.
Additionally, this also created uncertainties in the agreement between Kenya and Haiti which Ariel signed while in Kenya. The establishment of the new government will now create a framework for the implementation of the agreement.
The new government can either alter the agreement or reject it entirely to draft a new one between the two countries.
Another role the new government will play is rebuilding all sectors that have been destroyed by gangs especially after Ariel resigned.
The government will also help Kenya and other countries deal with the gangs causing chaos in Haiti.
In April President Ruto emphasised that the council was a critical step in re-establishing the political structure in Haiti. He added this made it easier for Kenya to execute its security support.
