Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has announced that he will resign as head of the Caribbean nation once a transitional presidential council has been established and an interim prime minister named.
Mr. Henry made the announcement on March 11 following weeks of international pressure to step down amid rising violence in the country, which has been overwhelmed by gangs, and targeted attacks on infrastructure.
His announcement also came shortly after an emergency meeting of regional nations was held in Jamaica, where officials including Caribbean leaders and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed a solution to the ongoing crisis in Haiti.
The meeting—which was organized by regional trade bloc the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)—saw leaders agree to a joint proposal to establish a transitional council.
Mr. Henry appealed for calm when announcing his decision to step down during a video address.
“The government that I am leading will resign immediately after the installation of [a transition] council,” Mr. Henry said. “I want to thank the Haitian people for the opportunity I had been granted. I’m asking all Haitians to remain calm and do everything they can for peace and stability to come back as fast as possible.”
Mr. Henry was sworn in as prime minister of Haiti nearly two weeks after the July 7, 2021, assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse.
He was initially meant to lead the country on an interim basis but remained in the role.
Violence Escalates, Curfew Extended
Mr. Henry has repeatedly postponed elections, citing the need to restore security first.Mr. Henry is currently stranded in Puerto Rico after armed gangs prevented his return home. It follows a trip he made to Kenya late last month, during which he advocated for the deployment of a U.N.-backed police force from the East African country—a deployment that had been delayed by a court ruling.
During his absence, gang violence increased dramatically in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, resulting in attacks on the main prison that helped thousands of inmates escape.
Haiti declared a state of emergency on March 3. The government has also extended a nighttime curfew until March 14 in an attempt to prevent further attacks.
It isn’t clear how much longer Mr. Henry will remain in Puerto Rico.
CARICOM Chairman and Guyana President Irfaan Ali said members will acknowledge Mr. Henry’s resignation upon the establishment of a transitional presidential council and naming of an interim prime minister.
US Pledges Millions in Aid
Speaking to reporters, President Ali said the transitional presidential council would have two nonvoting members and seven voting members, including representatives from several coalitions, the private sector and civil society, and one religious leader.The council has been mandated to “swiftly” appoint an interim prime minister, he said. Anyone intending to run in Haiti’s next elections will not be able to participate, according to Mr. Ali.
Mr. Blinken said the United States supports the proposal developed in partnership with CARICOM and Haitian stakeholders to expedite a political transition through the creation of a “broad-based, independent presidential college.”
He also announced that the United States is doubling its support to Haiti in the form of an additional $100 million to finance the deployment of a multinational support force to the country. Another $33 million in humanitarian aid will go to the embattled nation, he said.
“All of us know that only the Haitian people can, only the Haitian people should determine their own future, not anyone else. But all of us here—CARICOM, the United States, our other partners—we can help,” Mr. Blinken said at a press conference. “We can help restore a foundation of security that can address the tremendous suffering that innocent Haitians are experiencing and help create the conditions that will enable them to have that opportunity.”
