Haiti's PM Reshuffles Cabinet, Urges Action on Gangs

0:00This is Corey, here with your quick two-minute update from Durham News Today. Haitian Prime Minister Alex Didier Fils, I may, announce the major cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, keeping only five ministers in place while bringing in 11 new ones and two secretaries of state. Most of the newcomers come from political parties that just signed a big national agreement. He swore them in and called for real action over empty talk, stressing transparent use of public funds. The ministers who stayed on handle health, interior, trade, women's affairs, and justice, plus public security. Key additions include Rain of Forbidden as Foreign and Religious Affairs Minister, who recently joined the Prime Minister at a Caribbean summit, and Mario, Andrew Saul, the former police chief, now leading defense for the 1,000-in-listees there. Earlier this week, election candidate registration kicked off and will run until March 12. The Prime Minister, backed by the United States, Canada, France, and the United Nations, faces high expectations from the international community to deliver security and get elections held by years end.

1:08Canada's ambassador noted that more power means more responsibility, all focused on helping Haitians. This comes right after a national pact with over 200 political parties, civil society, and the private sector to fight gangs together. Plans include reviving a disarmament program in three phases, military action with police, army, and a United Nations force, justice system, crackdowns, and reintegration for recruited youth. Meanwhile, a new United Nations report paints a grim picture of children exported by gangs for errands, extortion, killings, and worse. Poverty and violence make kids from poor or displaced families, prime targets, and some face execution by police who see them as criminals, not victims. Officials urge a rights-based fix amid widespread hunger and no-school access. DNA is sponsored by our partner, a pillow that plays your podcasts, music, or white noise privately, no earbuds required.

2:08S-O-L-I-S-O-L-P-L-O dot com.