Outside actors will take a cautious approach to Haiti
Significance The formation of a unity government under interim Prime Minister Ariel Henry may stave off a downward political spiral temporarily. However, other challenges -- including mounting gang violence, the COVID-19 pandemic and severe food shortages brought on by drought and natural disasters -- will be difficult to address, even with international assistance. Impacts Foreign actors will push for early polls, seeing them as the best path out of the crisis, despite domestic calls for a longer transition. Foreign actors will find it easier to offer assistance to Haiti under a government that has been legitimated through elections. Washington’s stake in stabilising Haiti is tied to preventing an influx of asylum seekers to the United States. Washington will push for answers in the case of Moise’s murder, partly because Haiti’s government believes US citizens were involved.