2026-02-09

France issued a formal endorsement of Haiti's post-CPT transition on February 9, 2026 becoming the second major Western power after the US to recognize Prime Minister Fils-Aime's authority. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement acknowledged the end of the CPT mandate in accordance with the April 3, 2024 political accord and saluted the orderly transfer of executive power by Laurent Saint-Cyr to the Council of Ministers. France encouraged the government to scale up PNH and FAd'H capabilities and intensify anti-gang operations including by mobilizing the Haitian judicial apparatus. The statement pledged continued support for Haitian security forces and Global Security Force deployment under UNSCR 2793. The endorsement comes as GSF deployment timelines crystallize. Special Representative Jack Christofides assumes his post in Haiti in February 2026 with first GSF contingents expected April 2026 and full deployment completion by October 2026. The force maintains an authorized personnel ceiling of 5,550 with one-year initial funding approved by the Standing Group of Partners. A critical capacity gap exists between Kenya MSS drawdown announced February 7 and GSF full operational capacity in October creating a six to eight month vulnerability window during which security capacity will be transitioning. February 09, 2026 Accelerating US deportation operations compound humanitarian pressures. The US repatriated 132 Haitians to Cap-Haitien on February 5 followed by 136 additional deportees on February 7 including TPS and Green Card holders with children. Haiti TPS was terminated effective February 3, 2026 placing over 350,000 Haitian nationals at risk despite the State Department's active Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory. DHS Secretary Noem concluded Haiti no longer meets statutory requirements for TPS. Deportees arrive into a country where 90 percent of the capital remains under gang control, 5.7 million face food insecurity and 1.4 million are internally displaced.