New leader takes helm in Haiti with pledge to stem spiralling violence

12 November 2024 - 07:13 By Harold Isaac
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Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime was appointed by the Caribbean island nation's transitional council at the weekend to succeed Garry Conille.
Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime was appointed by the Caribbean island nation's transitional council at the weekend to succeed Garry Conille.
Image: REUTERS/Marckinson Pierre

Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime took office on Monday as the nation's new interim leader and pledged to improve security even as armed gangs flexed their muscles with a brazen attack on a commercial plane attempting to land in the capital.

Fils-Aime was appointed by the Caribbean island nation's transitional council at the weekend to succeed Garry Conille, who lasted for only six months.

The council and new prime minister are tasked with preparing for long-delayed elections amid a deep political and social crisis marked by growing hunger and frequent episodes of gangland violence.

“Obviously the first unavoidable challenge is the reinstatement of security,” Fils-Aime said in a crowded room at the prime minister's official office, known as Villa d'Accueil, attended by diplomats and other dignitaries.

“Security of the people, security of the goods and infrastructures. Food security and freedom of movement across the entire national territory,” he stressed, in a nod to areas controlled by powerful gangs.

Fils-Aime is the son of well-known Haitian activist Alix Fils-Aime, who was jailed under the regime of former dictator Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier who ruled from 1971 until he was overthrown by a popular uprising in 1986.

Earlier on Monday, a Spirit Airlines flight to the capital Port-au-Prince was struck by gunfire, injuring a flight attendant who was grazed by a bullet, according to a Miami Herald report, and forcing the plane to divert to neighbouring Dominican Republic.

The incident marks the latest eruption of violence blamed on the gangs that control most of the capital as well as key roadways and other infrastructure. The gangs, who Fils-Aime called “bandits” in his speech, have often targeted the Toussaint Louverture International Airport.

Spirit Airlines confirmed the plane was damaged but said no passengers were injured.

A video circulating on social media showed where a bullet pierced the rear exit door and struck an overhead bin across the aisle. Reuters was unable to immediately verify the authenticity of the video.

All flights in and out of the airport have been halted, according to a travel advisory from the US embassy in Haiti.

The embassy “is aware of gang-led efforts to block travel to and from Port-au-Prince which may include armed violence and disruptions to roads, ports and airports,” it said.

Armed gangs in Haiti's capital have shot at aircraft in recent weeks as the security situation has worsened. Last month, a UN helicopter was hit by gunfire over Port-au-Prince.

Reuters


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