Leader of Haitian advocacy group urges two-year transition government

Haitian economist Fritz Jean, who leads a civil society initiative that is calling for the creation of a two-year transition government to improve the country's security situation before holding elections, poses for a photograph after an interview with Reuters, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti February 4, 2022. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol

The leader of a group of Haitians concerned about the Caribbean country's future called on Friday for the formation of a provisional government to bolster security and ensure free elections in two years.

The nation of 11 million people - the poorest in the Western hemisphere - has been in a political vacuum since President Jovenel Moise's July assassination. Gang violence has some politicians worried Haiti is in no condition to hold elections.