Following 6 months of increasing instability, FM Lamothe confirmed as new PM 3 May; political parties declined Lamothe’s invitation to form unity govt; opposition member Rodolphe Joazile, appointed defence minister. Police with support of MINUSTAH began action against ad hoc military groups occupying state property since Jan; 2 former soldiers arrested 6 May; police 19 May shut down former military base in Lamentin. Some 50 people, including 2 U.S. citizens, arrested 18 May during march led by military that turned violent near presidential palace.

Senate 10 April confirmed FM Laurent Lamothe new PM; Lower House vote awaited. Following 17 April occupation of Lower House by ad-hoc military groups, State Secretary for Public Security Reginald Delva 23 April announced solution to occupations imminent. Defence Minister Thierry Mayard-Paul 25 April announced military compensation plan; groups declared intention to continue occupation of public spaces until joint staff formed. Following killings of 3 police officers in 48 hours, including 1 killed following arrest of driver of MP Rodriguez Séjour, Haitian National Police threatened nationwide strike; 3 persons close to Séjour held by authorities. Haitian and Dominican Republic authorities launched investigations into alleged plot to destabilise Martelly govt

President Martelly 1 March named FM Laurent Lamothe as PM; legislature confirmation date still not announced. Senate dual-nationality probe continued; Martelly 8 March presented 8 Haitian passports in attempt to end doubts over his nationality. Govt 15-day ultimatum ordering ad hoc military groups to vacate barracks/occupied buildings expired 16 March, Justice Minister Pierre Michel Brunache 22 March ordered police to turn groups out, use force if necessary. Leader of remobilised soldiers Commander Samson Chery 25 March said troops will resist if police given orders to evict them; member of govt panel on army reconstitution 31 March said panel urged president to appoint interim commander to control ex-soldiers.

PM Conille’s 24 Feb resignation amid reports of discord within top political leadership plunged country into renewed state of political uncertainty. Several thousand Aristide supporters demonstrated 29 Feb against President Martelly. Military-clad persons, some ex-army soldiers, occupied former military posts across country throughout month; made calls for reconstituting army; UN 16 Feb said police best body for providing security. Senate 14 Feb announced ultimatum ordering govt members to turn in travel documents for scrutiny of nationality within 48 hours or face impeachment. Clash between State University students and Martelly supporters 17 Feb in Port-au-Prince reportedly left several injured. Fanmi Lavalas party supporters 7 Feb demonstrated, burned photos of Martelly.

President Martelly 1 Jan announced resumption of reconstitution of army; French FM Juppé 27 Jan said France ready to help build new security force to combat smuggling, secure borders; concerns over potential negative impact on development of Haitian National Police (HNP) remained unaddressed. Discord between executive and legislative continued over elections, formation of Electoral Council, publication of constitutional amendments, outstanding judicial appointments. Rare anti-Martelly protest 9 Jan demanded govt pay 36 months’ worth of public sector salary arrears, called for removal of president on grounds he holds other nationalities. Following 19 Jan installation of Supreme Court vice-president Jules Cantave, govt announced plans to swear in Superior Judiciary Council (CSPJ) Feb 2012. 7 HNP officers jailed 20 Jan over killing of at least 10 prisoners in aftermath of 2010 earthquake. Martelly 26 Jan announced possible decision to pardon Duvalier in interest of national reconciliation; judge announced 30 Jan Duvalier to face trial for corruption, not human rights violations.

Increased political uncertainty as tensions continued in parliament over 27 Oct arrest of MP Arnel Bélizaire. Justice Minister Josué Pierre-Louis resigned 22 Nov; PM Conille and Interior Minister Thierry Mayard-Paul avoided confidence vote 23 Nov. Senator Moïse Jean-Charles demanded action be taken against President Martelly over case; Martelly denies involvement, 23 Nov wrote letter to Haitian people calling for peace and reconciliation. Martelly 18 Nov postponed publication of controversial decree to reinstate national army, announced creation of special commission to plan army reconstitution. Continued concerns over insecurity; National Coalition of Haitian Rights 15 Nov reported 98 killed, hundreds injured in gun violence since 1 Oct; victims include advisor to national palace, police officers. 7 injured by gunfire 28 Nov during violent demonstration in Cité Soleil calling for departure of city council head.

Following months of political gridlock, Senate 5 Oct approved PM Garry Conille, 3rd candidate nominated by President Martelly; parliament 15 Oct approved new cabinet. Martelly 12 Oct met former Presidents Aristide and Duvalier in effort to promote reconciliation; discussed creation of council of former presidents to build national consensus. UNSC 14 Oct announced withdrawal of 2,750 MINUSTAH troops, returning to pre-earthquake total of 9,500; extended mandate until Oct 2012. Increasing concerns over Martelly’s announcement of 18 Nov decree on national army reinstatement; UN SRSG Mariano Fernandez 26 Oct said new army would require new agreement with UN. Fernandez expressed concern over 27 Oct arrest of MP Arnel Bélizaire; parliament 28 Oct called for resignation of Ministers of Justice and Interior, Sec State for Foreign Affairs, state prosecutor.

Progress on nomination of new PM and selection of cabinet, as Chamber of Deputies 19 Sept unanimously approved President Martelly’s 3rd nominee for PM Garry Conille, despite questions over constitutionality of his candidacy. Concerns raised by parliamentarians and legal experts over Martelly’s unilateral designation of Directors General of some public institutions. Controversy over MINUSTAH as Uruguayan President apologised for alleged rape of Haitian male by 4 Uruguayan peacekeepers at UN base; UN began review of enforcement of zero-tolerance policy. Violent student protests in Port-au-Prince calling for withdrawal of MINUSTAH troops, also protests in Port Salut. Senate 18 Sept passed resolution for MINUSTAH’s withdrawal in 3 years and formation of a new army. National Defence and Security Committee 22 Sept presented preliminary strategy for creation of 3,500-strong army beginning 2012. Addressing UNGA 23 Sept Martelly said continued MINUSTAH presence needed. Increased fears over decline in security; former central chief of Judiciary Police Jean Denis Fortin found shot dead 3 Sept, public notary Emile Giordani kidnapped and killed late Aug.

President Martelly yet to form govt or appoint PM: Senate 2 August rejected Martelly’s 2nd PM nominee Bernard Gousse. Co-chair of reconstruction committee IHRC Bill Clinton stressed urgency of forming govt to move forward with reconstruction. IHRC 18 Aug announced new $78mn housing project to resettle some 30,000 IDPs. Shootings in Port-au-Prince continued amid deteriorating security: shots fired 19 Aug at Justice and Public Security ministry, no injuries.

PM Martelly 6 July announced 2nd PM nominee, former Justice Minister Bernard Gousse; likely to be rejected by Senate, where party of ex-president Préval (Inité) holds majority. Martelly yet to form govt. MINUSTAH 14 July announced operation involving 2,100 peacekeepers against resurgent gangs in Port-au-Prince slums. Martelly 22 July announced he will ask parliament to extend reconstruction commission IHRC’s mandate by 1 year, called on IHRC to prioritise resettlement of hundreds of thousands displaced by earthquake. 29 arrested after Martelly’s presidential motorcade attacked during 26 July visit to Cap-Haïtien. MP Dionald Polyte (Inité, Grande Anse) killed 25 July in allegedly accidental shooting by bodyguard; police said investigating incident.