Resignation of Haiti’s prime minister, a hope to end violent crisis

Haiti woke up this Tuesday with the hope of leaving behind its serious political, humanitarian and insecurity crisis, hours after the questioned prime minister, Ariel Henry, agreed to leave power to a transitional government in the impoverished Caribbean country.

In a video recorded in Haitian Creole, the leader indicated that he accepted “the establishment of a transitional presidential council” and indicated that he would continue “processing current affairs until the appointment of a prime minister and a government”.

“For more than a week, our country has been experiencing an increase in acts of violence against the population”Henry lamented. “The government that I lead cannot remain indifferent to this situation. As I always said, no sacrifice is too great for our country”he added.

The news had been advanced by Irfaan AliPresident of Guyana and temporary leader of the Caribbean Community (Caricom).

The regional group celebrated on Monday in Jamaica an urgent meeting to address the crisis in Haiti, in which representatives of several foreign powers participated, including the United States.

The fate of Henry, in power since the assassination of the president Jovenel Moïse In 2021, it had been in the air for some time, in a country that has not held elections since 2016.

The neurosurgeon turned politician was to have left the government in February, but remained in office after an agreement with the opposition.

At the beginning of the month, the gangs that control much of Haiti launched a series of attacks against strategic locations in Port-au-Prince, such as the presidential headquarters, the airport or the prisons from which thousands of prisoners escaped, while demanding Henry’s resignation. .

A council of seven members

The current executive will be replaced by a transitional presidential council made up of seven members who will represent the country’s largest political parties, the private sector and the Montana Accord, a coalition that had proposed an interim government after the assassination of MosesAli said.

There will also be two non-voting observers, one for civil society and another for the religious community.

None of them may have been accused or convicted in any jurisdiction, nor be sanctioned by the UN nor intend to run in the next elections in the country.

From Kingston, Ali celebrated the Haitian ruler’s decision.

“We are pleased to announce our commitment to a transitional government agreement that paves the way for a peaceful transfer of power”declared the President of Guyana. “To this end, we note the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry”he added.

The head of US diplomacy, Antony Blinken, confirmed Henry’s resignation in a phone call initiated by the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, after participating in the Kingston meeting.

A US official traveling with the Secretary of State said Henry had agreed to resign on Friday, but was waiting for the Kingston conference to finalize the details of the transition.

Regarding possible retaliation against Henry and his allies, the United States indicated that the outgoing prime minister would be welcome on American soil if he feels unsafe in Haiti, that official added.

US support

From Jamaica, Blinken announced an additional $100 million to support an international stabilization force in Haiti, a sum that brings the amount promised by Washington to $300 million since the crisis in the Caribbean country intensified years ago.

The Secretary of State also offered $33 million in immediate humanitarian aid.

US President Joe Biden has ruled out sending troops to Haiti, which the United States occupied for nearly two decades a century ago and where it has intervened ever since.

Already at the end of 2023, the UN Security Council had agreed to send an international mission led by Kenya to support the Haitian police, but its deployment has been delayed.

Henry was in Kenya to discuss the international mission when the current wave of violence broke out. After that trip, he failed to return to Port-au-Prince and ended up landing in Puerto Rico.