Tensions are reportedly rising within Haiti's new rulers, as the relationship between newly-appointed Prime Minister Garry Conille and the country's presidential council becoming increasingly strained.
Even though Conille has the support from individual members of the council, The Miami Herald has reported that his relationship with them as a group is souring, mainly a result of disagreements over who has the authority to run day-to-day government operations.
The rifts were illustrated by an incident over a dinner last week, when Conille and the head of one of the council's sectors, former prime minister Claude Joseph got into a "near fight" after the latter expressed frustration over recent appointments and the security situation.
The argument was filled with profanities and Joseph, an early supporter of Conille, warned him that he would be out of a job if things continue down this path. The prime minister, on his end, challenged Joseph to follow through on his threat.
This deteriorating scenario comes as top officials from the Biden administration landed in the country this week in search of making progress toward presidential elections in 2026.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield is in the country with Brian A. Nichols, the assistant secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs. They have already met with Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy and will meet with both Conille and the council in separate meetings.
An administration official told the outlet that the U.S. delegation plans to encourage the council to "continue to make progress towards democratic transition, including free and fair elections." The presidential council has started forming an electoral council, but the process is already ridden with conflict and accusations of corruption over appointments.
Thomas-Greenfield helped lead the initiative to deploy an international security force to the country. So far, 400 Kenyan officers have arrived in the country. The country has pledged to send about 1,000 troops to lead a 2,500-strong force that includes officers from countries such as Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Jamaica, Bangladesh, Benin and Chad. Most of the funding is coming from the U.S., with Canada and France also contributing with funding and training.
Kenya's National Police Service said forces are "working closely with their host, the Haitian National Police, and have so far undertaken strategic mapping of the likely areas of operational concerns and conducted several joint patrols within Port-au-Prince". It is expected that the contingent of Jamaican officials will arrive soon, a U.S. official said.
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