CARIBBEAN-CARICOM leaders want a stable political process in Haiti.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders say they recognise the “urgent need” for a stable political process in Haiti following last weekend’s end to the mandate of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), leaving the future of the French-speaking member country in limbo.

“It is expected that this would be a short interim period focused on improving the security environment, intensifying preparations for the holding of national elections, and promoting social and economic recovery,” the regional leaders said in a statement issued late Tuesday night.

The nine-member council was created to select a new prime minister and cabinet, prepare for, and oversee the nation’s next elections, scheduled for early 2026. Since April 2024, Haiti has held no national elections.

It left office last Saturday with its tenure marred by infighting, poor governance, and paralysis, as well as persistent allegations of influence peddling, corruption, collusion with armed gangs, and of diverting public resources for personal gain.

The last CPT president, Laurent Saint-Cyr, said the Council of Ministers “under the direction of the prime minister will take charge,” and the United States has since supported Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimè’s leadership “in building a strong, prosperous, and free Haiti”.

In a statement late Tuesday evening, the 15-member regional integration grouping of which Haiti is a member said that it had taken note that the CPT had stepped down at the end of its two-year tenure, and that Prime Minister Fils Aimé and the Council of Ministers have assumed responsibility for the governance of Haiti.

“CARICOM recognises the urgent need for a stable political process but reiterates that a Haitian-led and Haitian-owned approach remains fundamental. This necessarily requires overcoming divisions and structured inclusion of the views and aspirations of all Haitian citizens through consultation and dialogue with their representatives and civil society.”

The regional leaders say they also recognise that progress in improving the security environment is urgent and call on regional and international partners to alleviate the humanitarian hardships endured by millions of Haitians, which need to be addressed with equal urgency.

“In this regard, CARICOM supports the priorities identified by Prime Minister Fils Aimé that affirm the need for security and dignity to progress together, and his proposed immediate plan for urgent provision of food, health care, and shelter to the most vulnerable.
” CARICOM will continue to support the people of Haiti, including through ongoing engagement with all stakeholders by the Eminent Persons Group, and to embrace Haiti as a member state of the Community.”

The leaders said they were looking forward to an “early engagement” with Prime Minister Fils Aimé when the CARICOM summit gets underway in St. Kitts and Nevis on February 24.

The first contingents of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which will replace the struggling Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, are expected to arrive in Haiti in April. Its mission is to restore state authority and public order, reduce gang territorial control, secure critical infrastructure, and support the Haitian people as they work toward a return to elected governance and long-term stability.

Last week, the United States confirmed that at the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, the USS Stockdale, the USCGC Stone, and the USCGC Diligence arrived in the Bay of Port-au-Prince.

“Their presence reflects the United States’ unwavering commitment to Haiti’s security, stability, and brighter future. The US Navy and US Coast Guard stand as symbols of partnership and support, working to ensure a safer and more prosperous Haiti,” the US Embassy noted.