Overview:
Haiti’s government published a decree on Friday naming 18 ministers to form Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé’s cabinet. This transitional government, which includes four women, replaces Garry Conille’s administration—which lasted five months amid a prolonged governance crisis and escalating gang-fueled insecurity—and is tasked with overseeing the country until February 7, 2026.
PORT-AU-PRINCE — Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, installed less than a week ago, officially unveiled his cabinet Friday through a decree signed by the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) and himself. The new government, which includes 18 ministers, is tasked with leading Haiti’s transition until February 7, 2026.
The expanded cabinet includes four women, maintaining the representation of women in government seen under the previous administration. However, it falls short of the 30% threshold set by Haiti’s 2012 constitutional amendment (Article 17-1) on gender inclusion.
Fils-Aimé’s government replaces the short-lived administration of Garry Conille, which lasted only five months amid ongoing political instability and gang-fueled insecurity. The new government is tasked with critical challenges: restoring security, revising the Haitian constitution, and preparing for general elections by the end of 2025 to return the country to democratic governance.
A nation in crisis amid rampant gang violence
Fils-Aimé assumes office during a turbulent period for Haiti. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, the country has been without any elected officials, from local council members to the head of state. Fils-Aimé is Haiti’s third appointed prime minister in three years, following Ariel Henry and Garry Conille.
The CPT, established in March 2024 to steer the country out of its governance crisis — following a political consensus mediated by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) under the influence of the United States — has faced significant delays. Nine months after its formation, Haiti’s leadership remains under pressure to deliver tangible progress on the political and security fronts.
Many political analysts agree that the transitional government has limited time to achieve its mandate. They say that Fils-Aimé and his cabinet must urgently address the insecurity and prepare the nation for free and fair elections.
The new transitional government faces immediate and complex issues. Gang violence continues to paralyze the nation via the control of Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas, exacerbating insecurity and humanitarian crises.
The cabinet will also oversee constitutional reforms before organizing elections.
Since Moïse’s assassination, gang control over large parts of Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas has left the nation reeling. Restoring law and order is among the most urgent priorities for the CPT-Fils-Aimé administration.
Cabinet overview
The 18-member cabinet comprises ten new ministers and eight reappointments from the Conille administration. At first view, critics think the mix of fresh appointments and experienced individuals is expected to help stabilize and jumpstart the government quickly.
Ten new ministers:
- Alfred Metellus: Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF)
- Duckenson Lorthe Blema: Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP)
- Erick Dessources: Ministry of Tourism (MT)
- Harvel Jean Baptiste: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship (MAEC)
- Jean Michel Moise: Ministry of Defense (MD)
- Katia Verdier: Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHVE)
- Patrick Delatour: Ministry of Culture and Communication (MCC), a ministry that was merged with the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP) under Conille.
- Patrick Pélissier: Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP)
- Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé: Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MICT)
- Pedrica St-Jean: Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights (MCFDF)
Eight reappointed ministers from the Conille cabinet:
- Antoine Augustin: Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP)
- Georges Wilbert Franck: Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST)
- James Monazard: Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI)
- Ketleen Forestal: Ministry of Planning and External Cooperation (MPCE)
- Lynn Sarah Devalis Octavius: Ministry of Youth, Sports, and Civic Action (MJSAC)
- Moïse Jean-Pierre Fils: Ministry of Environment (ME)
- Raphaël Hosty: Ministry of Public Works, Transport, and Communications (MTPTC)
- Vernet Joseph: Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Rural Development (MARNDR)
The new government has less than 15 months to complete its mandate. Political observers note that the success of the transitional government depends on the swift and effective implementation of its plans. As the ministers take their posts in the coming week, the nation will be watching their ability to deliver solutions to Haiti’s most pressing challenges.
