Four years have passed since Haiti had an elected government, and the nation continues to grapple with a severe crisis characterized by deteriorating humanitarian and security conditions, as well as widespread food insecurity.

This situation has left the country in a state of complete uncertainty about its future, despite the current transitional government’s promise to hold elections in 2025.

On February 7, 2019, the Haitian Superior Judicial Council ended the mandate of President Jovenel Moïse amid opposition protests demanding his resignation, arguing that his administration had already concluded. Moïse, who was assassinated five months later, insisted that his term ended in 2022 based on his interpretation of the Constitution.

Traditionally, February 7 is marked by inaugurations or presidential addresses in Haiti, but since 2018, it has been overshadowed by violent opposition protests and tensions caused by armed gangs terrorizing the civilian population. This year is no exception, with threats from gangs forcing authorities to mobilize in response.

Despite not being an official holiday, schools, universities, and both public and private administrations have opted to close their doors out of fear of reprisals.

A Decisive Year for Haiti

The Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), formed last year, plans to hold a referendum to reform the Haitian Constitution and organize general elections in 2025. These elections aim to establish a new president, senators, deputies, and mayors. The last elections in Haiti took place between 2015 and 2016, during a transitional period that ended with the election of Moïse, who assumed office on February 7, 2017.

Currently, recruitment exams for electoral office managers are underway, and advisors are visiting various regions of the country. An electoral calendar has been sent to state authorities, but skepticism remains high due to the precarious security situation in Port-au-Prince, where 85% of the region is controlled by armed gangs who operate with impunity.

An Unsustainable Security Situation

Despite the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti (MSS), led by Kenya since June 2024, the situation continues to deteriorate. Armed gangs are increasingly taking over more territories, with massacres and armed attacks multiplying in the provinces and the capital region.

Thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes, living in inhumane conditions in displacement camps without basic social services like water, electricity, and healthcare. A significant number have left the country in search of better living conditions in places like the United States and Mexico.

In recent weeks, judicial authorities have increased arrests of police officers and current and former state officials allegedly in collusion with armed gangs.

Achieving the transition remains a major challenge for the current authorities, who came to power through an agreement between various political actors last year. This followed the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry amid violent unrest on February 29, when it was revealed that he planned to postpone elections until August 2025, despite his term expiring on February 7, 2024.

The situation in Haiti remains critical, with the need for a political solution and improved security conditions becoming increasingly urgent. The country’s future hinges on the successful organization of the promised elections and the restoration of stability.

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