By Micah Jonah
January 24, 2026
Two members of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council have declared that plans to remove Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils Aime will go ahead, despite strong objections, warnings from the United States over possible consequences.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Council member Leslie Voltaire said the same body that appointed Fils Aime in November 2024 has the authority to remove him, install a new prime minister, cabinet and interim presidency.
Voltaire stated that the council would issue a new decree to replace the current government, insisting that the decision falls strictly within the council’s constitutional responsibility.
Another Council member, Edgard Leblanc Fils, confirmed that procedures were already in motion to replace the prime minister within 30 days, following internal rules guiding leadership transition.
The United States has opposed the move, stressing that the prime minister should remain in office to preserve stability, especially as Haiti continues to battle widespread gang violence and severe security challenges. Washington has also insisted that the council must dissolve when its mandate expires on February 7, warning that sanctions could follow for political actors accused of corruption.
Despite this, five of the nine council members are reported to have signed a resolution supporting the removal of the prime minister, though the document has not yet been published in the official gazette, a legal step required before the decision can take effect.
The Transitional Presidential Council was established in 2024 to steer the country toward elections after nearly a decade without national polls. However, the election timeline has been repeatedly delayed due to worsening insecurity and political divisions.
Voltaire said the council plans to allow a short pause for political groups to reach agreement on a succession framework, adding that if no consensus is achieved, the council would impose a governance structure to avoid a leadership vacuum.
Both Voltaire and Leblanc described U.S. statements on the matter as an infringement on Haiti’s sovereignty, stressing that leadership decisions must be made by Haitians.
Internal disputes have continued to weaken the council, which has faced repeated accusations of corruption and infighting since its inauguration. Last year, a local court dismissed corruption-related summons against three council members, citing their official immunity, although they were later excluded from the council’s rotating presidency arrangement.
There has been no public response from Prime Minister Fils Aime, regarding the planned removal. However, he appeared alongside current Council President, Laurent Saint Cyr at a police ceremony on Friday, where a senior U.S. diplomat reiterated that keeping the Prime Minister in office is critical to sustaining the fight against armed gangs.
The political standoff adds fresh uncertainty to Haiti’s fragile transition process, as the country struggles to balance international pressure, internal power struggles and an escalating security crisis.
