Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council appointed by the outgoing government; gang violence continues with the targeting of the National Library

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Situation in Haiti

  • The state of emergency has been extended to 3 May, with the curfew extended to 17 April. 
  • Gang leaders are demanding a seat on the Presidential Transitional Council, and are ready to use violence until they are part of discussions concerning the future of the country.
  • Gangs have now also taken control of maritime routes, with increased incidences of theft, boat hijackings, and kidnappings in Haitian territorial waters. The Haitian National Police coast guard, with only 4 vessels, is unable to control the area.
  • Haiti’s international airport, Toussaint Louverture in Port-au-Prince, is not likely to allow any flights in or out of Haiti anytime soon, despite being in the hands of the Haiti National Police and Armed Forces of Haiti. The Guy Malary National Airport also remains closed. 
  • Two gang members were killed by the Haitian National Police (PNH) on 15 April, while another person was lynched in Mirebalais by the public for allegedly possessing a firearm and ammunition.
  • 1,370 cases of rape were reported in 11 months in the Arbonite department in central Haiti.
  • The public seaport is closed as hundreds of cargo containers are under control of the gangs. Private ports are being used for the unloading of basic supplies such as food and fuel.
  • The national library of Haiti was stormed and looted on 3 April. Previously, the National School of Art was attacked on 28 March. This has led to concern at UNESCO, among others, over Haiti’s cultural and educational institutions. 
  • The majority of districts in Cité Soleil are flooded due to extensive rainfall in the capital city. 
  • Haiti is facing a fuel shortage as petrol stations are either closed due to the increased insecurity or under control of gangs who supply the black market. Oil shipments are not easily able to get into the country, while carriers have issues receiving shipments at terminals.
  • 15 Tons of medical supplies from a number of organisations, including the European Union Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), landed in Haiti on 12 April.
  • A malaria outbreak has emerged in four communes in the South department. The World Health Organization (WHO) supports central health authorities to enable the rapid distribution of anti-malaria products.
  • 22,500 displaced people from Port-au-Prince have found refuge in Les Cayes, according to the Acting Mayor of Les Cayes, Marie Claire Daphnée France.
  • Approximately 10 people were killed in an attack by armed men on the public market of Cabaret Archaie in the West Department on 11 April. 
  • 194 gunshot wounds were treated between 29 February and 9 April at La Paix University Hospital. La Paix is the largest operational hospital in Port-au-Prince, but is not not able to respond to the increasing number of patients.
  • Pregnant women are giving birth in dire situations as many clinics are closed and the journey to the ones that are still open may be dangerous. Many pregnant women are also suffering from malnutrition, which can lead to complications.
  • Reporters Without Borders, together with 90 Haitian journalists, have called on the international community and Presidential Transitional Council to protect journalists and the press. Journalists have increasingly been victims of attacks, kidnappings, and killings. 
  • Gang leader Johnson Andre, also known as Izo, has been using social media to recruit soldiers and spread messages of terror. He has been accused of homicide, kidnapping and rape, while his gang is the most active gang to forcibly recruit children.

Situation on the Presidential Transitional Council

  • The Presidential Transitional Council was officially appointed by the former government led by Ariel Henry on 16 April. The council is charged with leading the transition up to 7 February 2026. 
  • The nine members of the council still need to be appointed by the outgoing government.
  • The decree also stated that the council will be based in the National Palace in the centre of Port-au-Prince, which has been under fire several times.
  • The council has already established a handover commission also consisting of nine members, designated by the members of the council. Four subcommittees have been established, namely a subcommittee for protocol, logistics, security and file transfer.
  • The council started working on selecting a Prime Minister. Each sector involved in the formation of the Presidential Council has been invited to present a candidate for Prime Minister. The deadline for this is the day of the appointment of the council members. 

Situation on the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission

  • The MSS mission is still lacking funding, with countries having pledged $10.8 million out of the $200 million needed. $45 million has been raised for humanitarian response, sitting well below the $600 million that the UN is seeking.

International situation

  • US lawmakers have called on the country to stop the flow of firearms to Haiti and to halt the deportation of Haitian migrants. They further appealed for the unblocking of the $300 million that the US government had pledged to the MSS mission.
  • William O’Neill was designated by the UN as independent expert on human rights in Haiti. O’Neill is an American Human Rights lawyer with 30 years of experience with Haiti. 

Links of interest

12th curfew
Haiti’s gangs are saying — with guns — ‘talk to us’ if you want the nation back
Seas Now Facing Insecurity Alongside National Roads
Incertitudes persistantes sur la reprise des vols à l’aéroport de Port-au-Prince
PNH : 2 bandits killed, Mirebalais : A lynched individual, Flooding in Cité Soleil
Artibonite : More than 4 rapes reported every day
A month into the violent siege of Haiti’s capital by gangs, here’s where things stand
Fuel shortage, Cap-Haitien : Arrival of 15 tons of medical intrans
South : Malaria outbreak, 22,500 displaced people, refugees in Les Cayes
Market attacked, several victims
La Paix hospital treated 194 gunshot wounds in 40 days
Haïti : Sentir l’insécurité dans sa chair
‘It is simply best not to get pregnant’: women left terrified as Haiti’s maternity services collapse
Appel pour la protection du droit à l’information en Haïti
A Warlord Turns to Death, Rape and Rap Videos to Expand Control in Haiti
Nomination des membres du Conseil présidentiel de transition et marche à suivre pour leur installation 
Haiti establishes council to choose new leaders as gang violence rages
US lawmakers, activists urge action on migration from, firearms to Haiti
UN Human Rights Chief designates William O’Neill as expert on human rights in Haiti

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