Haiti PM announces resignation

Haiti’s acting prime minister Ariel Henry announced today that he will resign as soon as a transitional presidential council is formed. The news came after regional leaders met in Jamaica on Monday with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and UN officials to discuss a political transition amid a rapidly degenerating security situation in Haiti. Henry’s resignation, the setting up of a presidential council, and the imminent naming of a new interim prime minister are intended to pave the way for new elections in Haiti, which hasn’t held any since 2016. The transitional council is set to consist of seven voting members and two observers. It can include members of Haitian civil society, the private sector, and the church, but no one who intends to stand as president. Henry is still believed to be in Puerto Rico, after being unable to land in Haiti due to the insecurity, and after being turned away from the Dominican Republic, with which Haiti shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. During 32 months of tumultuous rule since he took over as de facto leader on the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, gangs have seized control of most of the capital, Port-au-Prince. At the regional CARICOM meeting on Monday, the US raised its financial commitment for a security assistance mission to $300 million, but it remains unclear if and when the UN-authorised force will be deployed. The escalating violence in Haiti has led to a dramatic increase in the country’s humanitarian needs, displacing thousands, and leaving many with no shelter and little access to food and medical services. For more background and context, read our round-up.