Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé, Minister of the Interior and Territorial Communities, accompanied by Gérald François, Departmental Delegate for the West, and Mallew Étienne, Director of Territorial Communities, officially installed a new municipal commission for Cité Soleil during a ceremony attended by representatives of civil society, political figures, and the families and supporters of the new municipal officials.

The new municipal commission is composed of Daniel Saint-Hilaire, President (Mayor), Betty Montina, and Jackenson Auguste, members (Deputy Mayors). This commission is responsible for administering the municipality and contributing to its development until the next elections.

In his address, Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé commended the courage and resilience of the residents of Cité Soleil in the face of the numerous challenges the municipality continues to face. He urged the new municipal officials to work diligently to provide long-term support to the population, in a context marked by violence, a lack of infrastructure, and precarious living conditions. The Minister also invited the new municipal team to collaborate with the various stakeholders in the community to foster a climate of peace and stability, essential for the return of internally displaced persons who have fled the violence, as well as for the resumption of normal activities.

"I am counting on you to work towards establishing security and stability, as well as economic recovery and creating the necessary conditions for holding elections."

Speaking on behalf of the Municipal Commission, its President, Daniel Saint-Hilaire, after the customary expressions of gratitude, promised sound and dynamic governance, based on transparency, integrity, and listening to the various stakeholders in the community.

Seeking the support of relevant public and private institutions, as well as international partners, he also called for the mobilization of residents and natives of Cité Soleil, both in Haiti and within the diaspora, to effectively address the municipality's security and infrastructure challenges, particularly with the approach of hurricane season, which begins on June 1st.

Daniel Saint-Hilaire expressed his concern about the ongoing violence affecting several communal sections of Cité Soleil, resulting in loss of life, significant material damage, and the displacement of numerous families. He assured that the Municipal Commission intends to work, with the support of the central government, to establish a sincere and constructive dialogue aimed at promoting peace, the reopening of schools, the revitalization of economic activities, and the return of displaced persons to their neighborhoods of origin.

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre