Locked in Transition: Politics and Violence in Haiti

Haiti's transitional government, established in April 2024 with the promise of holding elections, has been largely ineffective due to partisan infighting and corruption allegations. This political dysfunction has empowered gangs, which continue to perpetrate massacres and control significant portions of Port-au-Prince and other regions. The Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, despite its deployment, struggles with understaffing, underfunding, and inadequate equipment, failing to significantly curb gang activity or ensure security for prospective elections.

The report highlights the urgent need for the transitional authorities to resolve internal disputes, appoint key security personnel, and develop a concrete strategy to reduce violence. It cautions against rushing into elections or constitutional reform under current insecure conditions, as this could further entrench gang power and undermine the legitimacy of any new government. Instead, it suggests establishing clear security benchmarks before polls, potentially extending the transitional government's mandate, and exploring sustainable international support options, including a potential UN peacekeeping mission, to effectively address the gang threat.