2026-02-08

Constitutional Framework The Transitional Presidential Council officially concluded its mandate on February 7, 2026 as specified in the April 3, 2024 Political Accord, dissolving without establishing a successor governance mechanism. Executive authority transferred by default to Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime who has served since November 2024 but holds no electoral mandate or constitutional legitimacy. The dissolution occurred amid escalating internal conflict after five of seven CPT members voted in late January to remove Fils-Aime from office, triggering US diplomatic intervention and targeted sanctions against CPT leadership. Haiti now operates under an extraconstitutional arrangement with a US-backed Prime Minister as sole executive authority, no functioning legislature, no elected officials at any level of government, and national elections scheduled seven months away. No agreement exists on what governance framework should replace the CPT despite multiple proposals including a 17-member deliberative assembly suggested by the Civil Society Initiative. Former legislator Antoine Rodon Bien-Aime confirmed that numerous proposals have been presented but a unified solution remains elusive. The CPT's tenure produced no electoral progress, no constitutional revision, and presided over February 08, 2026 deteriorating security conditions that resulted in over 10,000 deaths during its 22 months in power. The council's final weeks were marked by corruption allegations, US visa restrictions imposed on January 25 against two members for involvement with Foreign Terrorist Organization-designated gangs, and expanded sanctions on January 27 covering five total CPT members. The Organization of American States stated on January 22 that the CPT mandate ends February 7 per the April 2024 accord and that future arrangements rest with Haitian leadership. The governance vacuum creates immediate risks of contested authority, institutional paralysis, and reduced international legitimacy for reform initiatives. PM Fils-Aime's authority derives entirely from US backing and an expired political accord rather than constitutional process or democratic mandate. CARICOM expressed great concern on January 27 at the internal turmoil and urged stakeholders to halt fragmentation which works only for the benefit of the gangs. BINUH head Maria Isabel Salvador Ruiz-Massieu warned on January 20 that Haiti faces a critical phase and urged governance continuity beyond February 7.