Garry Conille, Haiti’s newly appointed prime minister, expressed his honor and gratitude on Wednesday after being chosen by a transitional council to lead the troubled Caribbean nation plagued by gang violence. In his first statement since the selection, Conille thanked the civil society groups, political parties, and members of the Haitian diaspora who proposed his candidacy.
“Together, we will work for a better tomorrow for all the children of our nation,” he wrote in Haitian Creole on X, the social media platform.
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Conille, who resigned Tuesday as UNICEF’s regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean—a position he held since January 2023—has a notable history in public service. He previously served as Haiti’s prime minister from October 2011 to May 2012 under then-President Michel Martelly.
With a background in medicine and public health, Conille has been instrumental in developing healthcare in impoverished Haitian communities and coordinated reconstruction efforts after the devastating 2010 earthquake. He also has experience as a UN development specialist before his tenure with UNICEF.
Now facing the enormous challenge of stabilizing a nation where gangs control at least 80 percent of Port-au-Prince, Conille’s leadership comes as Haiti anticipates the UN-backed deployment of a police force from Kenya and other supporting countries. Conille succeeds interim Prime Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert, who stepped in after former Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned in April following a surge in gang violence.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell extended her best wishes to Conille, hoping for his success in bringing peace, stability, and hope to Haitian children. Conille is the second choice for all council members after council members unexpectedly announced former sports minister Fritz Bélizaire as prime minister, causing tension and calls for proper procedures.
To address the controversy, the council opened nominations for prime minister, receiving numerous names, though none were publicly disclosed. The council faced criticism for its lack of transparency and unclear selection criteria. Alongside choosing a prime minister, the council must also appoint a new Cabinet and a provisional electoral commission—a prerequisite for upcoming elections.
The council’s non-renewable mandate expires on February 7, 2026, when a new president is expected to be sworn in.
