Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council Flounders During Meeting to Appoint Chair; Food Insecurity Rising Amidst Ongoing Violence

Even before it has begun to address the crisis gripping the country, Haiti’s presidential transitional council finds itself in limbo, with some members withdrawing due to security concerns and deep disagreement over the council’s exact composition.

On Sunday, UNESCO Ambassador Dominique Dupuy, issued a video statement saying that she was stepping down from the council after being subjected to an intense campaign of political attacks and death threats. Although Ms. Dupuy was replaced, other representatives withdrew shortly before a Monday evening meeting during which the council was supposed to elect its chair.

Famni Lavalas delegate Leslie Voltaire wrote a letter stating that a “political accord signed between the different sectors” was necessary before a president could be elected, while Jean Jumeau, one of the two non-voting members on the council, said that he would no longer take part because “the need for concrete action is too great to remain impotent in a spectator’s posture.”

The apparent floundering of the transitional council a mere two weeks after it was announced has prompted some to call on more action from the international community, a prospect being strongly resisted by the armed groups currently terrorizing the capital, as well as some members of the general public.