Haiti’s New Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé Takes Up Office

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – Haiti’s  new Prime Minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, took up office on Monday emphasizing the critical need for security in the country, where criminal gangs continue to show disregard for law and order.

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, addressing his inauguration ceremony (CMC Photo)“The first essential task that will determine the success of the transition is to re-establish the security of people, property and infrastructure, food security, and freedom of movement throughout the country,” said Fils-Aimé,  52, who controversially replaced the interim prime minister Garry Conille, who had been sworn into office four months ago.

Conille was not present at the Villa d’Acceuil where the Presidential Transitional CouncilTPC) handed over to Fils-Aimé, the son of well-known Haitian activist Alix Fils-Aime, a copy of the order of his appointment and proceeded to install him in his position.

Attending the ceremony were the Commander of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H) Lieutenant-General Derby Guerrier, the Acting Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PMH), Rameau Normil, representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as leaders of Civil Society and the private business sector.

TPC president, Leslie Voltaire, who had a public disagreement with Conille, congratulated the former government for the work accomplished while reminding the new prime minister of the major challenges he will have to face and which cannot wait.

In his speech,  Fils-Aimé said that he will have two main pillars in his pla, namely fighting insecurity and organising elections in the country. He also promised to work towards harmonisation between the two branches of the Executive and the revival of the national economy, stressing that the agreement of April 3rd, 2024 giving rise to this transitional power will be his compass.

The prominent businessman called for unity for the success of the transition, and to solve the problems facing the country, recognizing that the situation is extremely difficult.

Fils-Aimé, a former president of Haiti’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, takes office at a time when the TPC is itself facing allegations of corruption against three members, further complicating the government’s efforts to regain stability.

“Obviously, the first unavoidable challenge is the reinstatement of security,” Fils-Aime said.

On Monday, Haiti’s main airport was temporarily shut down as gangs attempted to seize control of the facility less than 24 hours after warning that the fighting will start again and asking the population not to go out into the streets.

The US-owned carrier, Spirit Airlines, said it has suspended flight to Port au Prince after its flight to Haiti was forced to divert to the Dominican Republic when gunfire struck the jet.

The attack by the gangs followed a video message released by Jimmy Cherizier, aka “Barbecue” the leader of “Vivre Ensemble” gang, announcing that the fighting will start again.

“The time for observation [of the situation] by the gangs of ‘Vivre Ensemble’ is over, the time has come to take the destiny of this country into our own hands,”  he said.