Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille has been dismissed by the nation’s ruling council just six months after assuming his role.
An executive order endorsed by eight council members appointed businessman and former Senate candidate Alix Didier Fils-Aime as Conille’s successor.
Conille, who previously worked for the United Nations, was brought in to guide Haiti through a gang-dominated security crisis and was anticipated to facilitate the country’s first presidential elections since 2016.
He insists his removal is unlawful.
“This resolution, made outside any lawful and constitutional framework, raises significant questions about its legitimacy,” a quote from Conille’s letter stated.
Currently, Haiti lacks both a president and a parliament, and according to the country’s constitution, only the parliament has the authority to dismiss a sitting prime minister. Conille took office on June 3.
Haiti’s transitional presidential council (TPC) was established in April after Ariel Henry, Conille’s predecessor, was ousted by a gang network that had seized control of parts of Port-au-Prince.
Henry departed Haiti on February 25, 2024, to attend a summit in Guyana. Gang members overtook the city’s international airport, hindering his return.
The TPC was assigned to restore democratic order in the Caribbean nation, where violence is widespread. Since January, over 3,600 individuals have lost their lives, and more than 500,000 have been displaced, according to the UN, which labels it as one of the poorest nations globally.
According to UN data, two million Haitians are currently experiencing emergency levels of hunger, while nearly half of the population lacks sufficient food.
Following President Moise’s assassination in July 2021, the position has remained unoccupied.
Hundreds of police officers from Kenya have been sent to the country to restore peace, with more expected to arrive in November.