Garry Conille, a doctor and former aide to President Bill Clinton in his capacity as UN envoy to Haiti, has been approved as the next Prime Minister of Haiti. Nine Haitian senators abstained in the vote, which was 17-3 in favor of Conille’s appointment, over concerns that Conille did not meet the Haitian constitution’s requirements of residency, among other qualifications. A similar residency requirement did prove enough to prevent the presidential candidacy of Haitian singer Wyclef Jean, however. The ratification of Conille’s appointment means Haiti and President Michel Martelly now have an official government. [AP via ABC News]

The Caribbean Journal staff contributed reporting.