Haitian Prime Minister resigns amidst growing unrest

Ariel Henry

Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry has yielded to mounting pressure and escalating violence in the impoverished nation, agreeing to step down from his position. His decision follows a meeting of regional leaders in Jamaica, where discussions centered on orchestrating a political transition in Haiti.

Currently stranded in Puerto Rico due to armed gangs preventing his return, Mr. Henry announced his resignation through a video address, stating that his government would step down upon the establishment of a transition council. He urged Haitians to remain calm and strive for peace and stability.

Mr. Henry had led the country on an interim basis since July 2021, following the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse. However, his tenure was marked by repeated election postponements, citing the need for restored security. Many Haitians questioned the duration of his unelected governance, echoing demands from armed gangs for his resignation.

Port-au-Prince and its surroundings are under a month-long state of emergency, with a curfew extension in effect amidst escalating gang violence. The situation has led to over 360,000 people being displaced, disrupting the flow of goods and exacerbating existing challenges such as malnutrition.

Matthias Pierre, a former elections minister in Haiti, described the current state of the country as precarious, emphasizing the inadequacy of the army and police force to address the unrest. He noted that gangs are vying for inclusion in any new power-sharing arrangement, complicating efforts to establish stability.

The planned deployment of a UN-backed security force led by Kenya to restore order in Haiti has been put on hold following Mr. Henry's resignation. The US, however, remains committed to the mission, pledging $300 million and allocating additional funds for humanitarian aid.

The Caricom group outlined the composition of a transitional council, aimed at overseeing Haiti's transition to elections. The council is expected to be appointed within the next two days, paving the way for the country's first elections since 2016.