People encouraged by early signs of Haitian PM Conille’s transparent communication

Prime Minister Garry Conille is making waves with his early communication approach to governance. Since his arrival in the Haitian capital to take up his role in the transitional government, he has shown a dedication to open communication. However, many believe that Conille must be consistent and pair this transparency approach with accountability to establish a new standard for leadership in the country. This will, some say, earn him the Haitian people’s respect and trust.

“PM Conille’s respect is not in what he says, but in his actions,” a user named Gassendy Brave posted on the X (formerly Twitter) platform. “When you enter politics, you have already forfeited much of your respect. To maintain the respect you once had [before entering the political arena], you must surround yourself with competent and honest people. I have significant doubts that PM Conille will be able to maintain that respect.”

Gassendy Brave responded to another user who praised the new prime minister’s openness. “So far, he has shown a level of transparency that his predecessors did not possess. Remember, the inactive Ariel Henry did not give us that chance,” X user Dr. Hector Roberto Mardy said. “Good luck, prompt and total recovery, PM.”

Another user, Dr. Max Maserati, added, “Good recovery; I only hope we are not disappointed in you.”

With over one week of activities in the book, Conille offers a glimpse of his communication strategy. Here are some communications items checked by the newly appointed prime minister:

• Conille has appointed Jean Jul Désauguste as his spokesperson. A seasoned journalist who previously worked for Radio Télé Métropole, Désauguste will also serve as the PM’s communications advisor. He held his first press conference on June 7 to elaborate on Conille’s activities since arriving in Haiti.

• To date, Conille has only used Creole in his speeches, indicating an effort to speak directly to Haitians in their language.

• Conille’s office swiftly communicated about his health scare on Saturday, leaving little room for speculation and rumors about his condition while he was recuperating in the hospital. 

• After being discharged from the hospital on Sunday morning, Conille spoke directly to the nation via video message, reassuring people he was fine and back to work.

• Conille spoke to the nation once more on Sunday night following a deadly gang attack on the Haitian National Police (PNH), resulting in three officers killed, one injured, and ammunition and weapons seized by the criminals, who also set a police armored vehicle on fire.

In his address, the prime minister extended his heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families, promising to bring “all the criminals to justice” once his government is installed.” Conille also reiterated his commitment to strengthening the police’s abilities to counter gang violence and restore peace and security in Haiti.

“In the week of June 10, I will continue to work urgently with the TPC to establish an inclusive and credible government so that I can start serving the people,” Conille said on X. “I have already suggested a list of individuals to form the Government to the TPC, and we are working on finalizing the list from the sector that signed the agreement proposed by the TPC on April 3, 2024.”

Since he arrived in the Haitian capital on June 1, after being appointed prime minister by the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) on May 28, Conille has been actively working to form the new government through negotiations with the TPC members. 

A final consensus was reached, and the new government’s composition and installation were officially announced.

A decree naming the ministers who make up the government staff members of Conille’s ministry cabinet was published Monday in Le Moniteur, the Haitian government’s official paper. This act cleared the path for installing the new government, which is scheduled for this Wednesday, June 12, at Villa d’Accueil in Musseau, Port-au-Prince, a few miles from the National Palace. 

Haitians have been eagerly awaiting a fully functional government to replace the outgoing one, which had been nearly non-existent in the quake of escalating gang violence, exacerbating Haiti’s humanitarian crisis.

Mindful of Haiti’s financial strain, amplified by multiple crises and scant resources, Conille persuaded the TPC members to consolidate the government’s 18 ministries down to 14, with him serving as one of the 14 ministers. Sources close to the TPC negotiations reported that the prime minister also suggested reducing the number of personnel in each ministry’s cabinet from the current standard of at least 15 members to seven.

Moreover, the sources said, PM Conille wanted to staff the transitional government with technocrats, mostly of his choosing, rather than the TPC’s political allies. These moves have irritated the TPC members, who opposed the prime minister as they wished to maintain the status quo. However, on June 8, local media reported that the prime minister and TPC members had reached a consensus on the most contentious issues around forming the new government. 

Above all, Haitians demand and deserve good governance—one that operates transparently, with accountability, clear and concise communications and no obscurity. Conille appears to have understood this from the start. However, numerous observers believe only time will tell if this is truly his governance model. 

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