2026-02-16

Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime continues governing as Haiti's sole executive authority in his ninth day since the Conseil Presidentiel de Transition dissolved on February 7. While no new decrees or press conferences were reported in the February 15-16 window specifically due to government offices being closed for the Carnival holiday period, recent governance actions demonstrate systematic consolidation of executive power at both national and municipal levels. The Council of Ministers adopted a decree formally placing executive power under its collective authority, justified by the CPT mandate expiration on February 7. PM Fils-Aime appointed himself interim Minister of Economy and Finance after dismissing Alfred Metellus, concentrating fiscal authority in the executive office. The new Port-au-Prince Municipal Commission was installed February 12-13 with Yves Andrel Salomon as Mayor replacing Youri Chevry, alongside deputies Dorothé Ignace Morel and Esther Cinéas. Municipal commission changes were also implemented in Pétion-Ville with Géralda Nelson replacing Blondibe Beauvert and in Gressier. These appointments represent the first major municipal governance restructuring under the post-CPT framework. Laurent Saint-Cyr, in his final address as CPT president, told Fils-Aime: "You have no right to fail." This statement captured the political pressure facing the Prime Minister. The Center for Strategic and International Studies assesses Fils-Aime as politically exposed due to the battle over his succession. No consensus has emerged on a successor governance framework among Haiti's 200-plus political parties. Prominent journalist Roberson Alphonse warned that without political dialogue, Fils-Aime risks the same fate as Ariel Henry, who was forced to resign in 2024, describing the Prime Minister as being without a shock absorber against political forces that envy his position. The governance consolidation occurs as the CEP electoral calendar remains unchanged with February 16, 2026 campaign period beginning May 19, 2026, just one month after initial GSF troop arrivals expected in April 2026. The first round presidential and legislative elections are scheduled for August 30, 2026, with the new president's inauguration set for February 7, 2027, exactly one year after the CPT mandate expired. Key US institutions including IFES, NDI, and IRI appear to be playing little if any role in election preparation, with Trump administration cuts slashing democracy assistance budgets. The campaign period would begin before GSF forces have launched major anti-gang operations, raising questions about electoral access in gang-controlled areas.