In a significant development, Haiti leaders have reached a crucial political agreement to establish a transitional government.

This government, slated to serve for 22 months, aims to restore order in the capital city, which has been plagued by gang violence, Leader-Telegram noted.

The goal is to pave the way for elections, with a new president set to be inaugurated on February 7, 2026.

The agreement has resulted in the formation of a nine-member ruling council.

This transitional council comprises seven voting members and two non-voting observers.

Notably, representatives from various political parties and civil society organizations were involved in the negotiations and endorsed the final document alongside council members.

The recent accord comes after almost a month of negotiations to chart a path for selecting a new prime minister and forming a new government.

The transitional council has granted itself substantial authority over the incoming government, including the power to dismiss the next prime minister, a responsibility traditionally held by an elected parliament.

Key aspects of the agreement, along with an ordinance outlining the proposed presidential council's powers, have been forwarded to the Caribbean Community Regional Bloc (CARICOM). However, Haiti's outgoing leader, Ariel Henry, remains unable to return to the country due to the suspension of international flights into the violence-plagued capital.

The next steps involve Henry and his council of ministers signing off on the deal to publish the ordinance establishing the transitional body officially.

Following publication, the council's swearing-in will proceed, although the exact timeline remains uncertain. One major point of contention is the location of the transitional council's installation.

While some members prefer the National Palace, which has been a target for armed gangs, security concerns persist.

Additionally, details regarding the potential deployment of a Multinational Security Support mission and strategies to tackle the rampant gang activity in the capital remain unclear.

Council's Initial Responsibilities

The primary task of the newly formed transitional council will be to elect a prime minister who, in collaboration with the nine-member team, will lead the country until democratic elections can be held, according to Yahoo! News.

Neither transitional council members nor members of the forthcoming government will be permitted to run in the elections.

Haiti has been grappling with political instability and escalating crime for years, exacerbated by a lack of elections since 2016.

Recent events, including attacks by armed gangs in late February, have further destabilized the nation, leading to the shutdown of essential infrastructure like the port and airport.

The breakthrough achieved over the weekend follows prolonged negotiations marred by internal disagreements and legal disputes.

CARICOM now holds the responsibility to transmit the accord to the outgoing Henry government to confirm the investiture of the new council.

Critical Voices and International Support

ritics have raised concerns about the ambitious nature of the plan and its effectiveness in addressing Haiti's immediate crisis, Arca Max noted.

While the agreement outlines discussions on truth and reconciliation, economic recovery, and constitutional reform, the pressing issue of armed groups controlling significant portions of the capital remains unresolved.

Furthermore, some experts question the efficacy of the presidential council's structure, fearing potential bureaucratic hurdles that could impede decision-making processes.

Despite these challenges, international support for Haiti's political framework remains crucial.

Entities such as the Caribbean Community, the US, and France have emphasized the need for a stable government to facilitate the deployment of an international force aimed at assisting the Haiti National Police in combating armed gangs. However, the deployment of such a force hinges on the formation of the next government and the availability of necessary finances.

Kenya, designated to lead the international mission, has paused its plans pending developments in Haiti's political landscape.

READ MORE: Haiti: 53,000 Flee Port-au-Prince Amid Gang Surge

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

WATCH: How Haiti's transitional governing council will work - From CBC News