Haiti
Since the pullback of the international assistance mission in 2017 followed by the assassination of its president in 2021, Haiti has suffered from a crisis of governance that has opened the space for criminal — but politically aligned — gangs to take over much of the country. USIP offers technical and secretariat support to national dialogue processes that will lead to a functional transitional government and guide the country to elections. It also works with experts to develop innovative security planning for Haiti that takes account of the tepid international support for the current crisis.
Read more about the current crisis in Haiti
Featured Publications
Haiti’s Transition Can’t Succeed Without Women’s Leadership
Despite facing some of the worst political instability and social upheaval in its history over the last decade, Haiti now has an opportunity to move forward. The selection of an effective prime minister by a Transitional Presidential Council offers the country a chance to restore security and hold elections for the first time since 2016. But for any progress to last, there will need to be a mix of transitional and transformational leadership. And that means mobilizing and respecting the essential role of women, who are currently underrepresented at all levels of government and influence.
Keith Mines on Haiti’s Recent Progress and U.S. Support for Its Transition
With a Kenyan-led security mission and a new interim government in place in Haiti, Secretary Blinken’s visit to the country shows that “the United States has been trying hard … to take advantage of the momentum,” says USIP’s Keith Mines, adding that while there’s a long way to go, “for now, there’s something to build on.”
Quatre moyens par lesquels les États-Unis peuvent aider à faire progresser Haïti
Depuis que Haïti a conclu un accord politique début avril pour avancer vers une « transition ordonnée », de nombreux progrès ont été réalisés. Médié par la Communauté des Caraïbes (CARICOM), cet accord fixe à février 2026 l’échéance pour la mise en place d’un gouvernement et d’un parlement élus. Bien que politiquement et administrativement fragile, une structure de gouvernance transitoire est en place, dirigée par un Conseil présidentiel de transition (CPT) et le Premier ministre Garry Conille. Une mission multinationale de soutien à la sécurité (MSS), dirigée par le Kenya, est désormais active dans le pays et travaille à stabiliser la situation sécuritaire.
Current Projects
Haitian Citizen Engagement
USIP’s Haitian Citizen Engagement Project ensures that marginalized communities, particularly in rural Southern Haiti, have a voice in the country’s political transition.
Crisis in Haiti
Analysis of Haiti’s deepening crisis, its implications for regional peace and security, and policy options for the United States to consider.
Peacemaking in a Turbulent World: Lessons from Intrastate and Interstate Conflicts
Peacemaking in a Turbulent World answers the following central question: What lessons for effective management of intrastate conflicts emerged from the post-Cold War period that are relevant for managing contemporary conflicts which include intrastate, internationalized (featuring direct engagement by outside powers), and interstate conflicts?