Publication

This briefing gives an account of the presidential and parliamentary elections in Haiti in early 2006. It also lays out an agenda for President Rene Préval, which would allow the country to put years of instability, violence, and economic decline behind it. Although considering the successful elections as a window of opportunity for Haiti, the briefing emphasizes that it is of crucial importance for the president to form legislative alliances and to choose a strong prime minister. The authors outline security, social, and economic challenges as major structural issues to be addressed in the first 100 days of Préval's presidency. With respect to the security sector, they consider preserving the security level by re-focusing on disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of combatants, and reforming, professionalizing, and strengthening the police as central tasks. The report further highlights re-establishing political cohesion, economic renewal, and reform of all structures related to the rule of law as other crucial issues to be tackled.