PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC—Haiti’s new Prime Minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, took office on Monday, emphasizing the critical need for security in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, where criminal gangs continue to disregard law and order.
“The first essential task that will determine the success of the transition is to re-establish the security of people, property and infrastructure, food security, and freedom of movement throughout the country,” said Fils-Aimé, 52, who controversially replaced the interim prime minister Garry Conille, who had been sworn into office four months ago.
Conille was not present at the Villa d’Acceuil, where the Presidential Transitional Council (TPC) handed over to Fils-Aimé, the son of well-known Haitian activist Alix Fils-Aime, a copy of the order of his appointment and proceeded to install him in his position.
Attending the ceremony were the Commander of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H) Lieutenant-General Derby Guerrier, the Acting Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PMH), Rameau Normil, representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as leaders of Civil Society and the private business sector.
TPC president Leslie Voltaire, who publicly disagreed with Conille, congratulated the former government for the work accomplished while reminding the new prime minister of the major challenges he will have to face and which cannot wait.
In his speech, Fils-Aimé said that he would have two central pillars in his place: fighting insecurity and organizing elections in the country. He also promised to work towards harmonization between the two branches of the Executive and the revival of the national economy, stressing that the agreement of April 3rd, 2024, giving rise to this transitional power, will be his compass.
The prominent businessman called for unity to ensure the success of the transition and to solve the problems facing the country, recognizing that the situation is extremely difficult.
Fils-Aimé, a former president of Haiti’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, takes office when the TPC is itself facing allegations of corruption against three members, further complicating the government’s efforts to regain stability.
“The first unavoidable challenge is the reinstatement of security,” Fils-Aime said.
On Monday, Haiti’s main airport was temporarily shut down as gangs attempted to seize control of the facility less than 24 hours after warning that the fighting would start again and asking the population not to go out into the streets.
The US-owned carrier, Spirit Airlines, said it had suspended its flight to Port au Prince after its flight to Haiti was forced to divert to the Dominican Republic when gunfire struck the jet.
The gang’s attack followed a video message released by Jimmy Cherizier, aka “Barbecue,” the leader of the “Vivre Ensemble” gang, announcing that the fighting would start again.
“The time for observation [of the situation] by the ‘Vivre Ensemble’ gangs is over. The time has come to take the destiny of this country into our own hands,” he said.-
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