Port au Prince: Haiti has entered a new period of political uncertainty after the mandate of its transitional presidential council ended on Friday, leaving the country without a clear governing authority and no elected leaders in place.
The nine member transitional council was formed in April 2024 after the resignation of former prime minister Ariel Henry. Its main task was to restore order and prepare the ground for long delayed elections. However, the council failed to meet key deadlines, and no agreement was reached on what should replace it once its term expired.
With the council’s mandate over, Haiti now faces a power vacuum. There is no parliament, no elected president, and no confirmed roadmap for elections. National polls have not been held since 2016, and previous promises to organise a vote have repeatedly been pushed back due to insecurity and political disagreements.
The situation is further complicated by internal disputes within the transition leadership. In recent weeks, members of the council clashed over the future of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils Aimé, with some pushing for his removal. Those efforts stalled before the council’s term expired, leaving the prime minister in place but without a strong political mandate.
Security remains one of the country’s biggest challenges. Armed gangs control large parts of Port au Prince and other areas, disrupting daily life and making it difficult for the state to function. Violence, displacement, and food shortages have increased, deepening an already severe humanitarian crisis.
The United States and other international partners have expressed concern over the unfolding situation. Washington has urged Haitian leaders to avoid actions that could worsen instability and has reiterated its support for efforts to maintain basic governance and security. The United Nations has also extended the mandate of its political mission in Haiti, while an international security force continues to assist local police.
For many Haitians, the end of the transitional council without a clear successor has added to frustration and uncertainty. As daily life grows more difficult, pressure is mounting on political actors and the international community to find a workable path toward stability and elections.