Haitian Prime Minister Resigns Weeks After Visiting Kenya as the his Country Goes into Chaos

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 12- Ariel Henry, the unelected Prime Minister of Haiti since the assassination of the country’s former president in 2021, has resigned from his position, as confirmed by a regional leader on Monday.

The 74-year-old neurosurgeon had been leading the nation amidst ongoing challenges.

Henry’s recent trip to Kenya aimed to secure leadership for a United Nations-backed international security mission to combat armed gangs. However, escalating violence in Port-au-Prince during his absence left him stranded in Puerto Rico.

The presidential council, led by Henry, will now undergo changes, with two observers and seven voting members from various sectors including coalitions, private sector, civil society, and religious leaders. This council has been tasked with promptly appointing an interim prime minister, with a condition that anyone intending to run in the upcoming elections cannot participate.

Henry’s resignation follows a meeting of regional leaders in Jamaica, where discussions were held regarding a political transition, urged by the U.S. to be expedited due to armed gangs seeking to destabilize the government.

Haiti has been facing political turmoil, exacerbated by security concerns and delayed elections. Henry, perceived as corrupt by many Haitians, had postponed elections citing the need for restored security. The urgency for political and security actions has been emphasized by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who called for the establishment of a broad-based, inclusive presidential college to address immediate needs, deploy security missions, and create conditions for free elections.

The recent declaration of a state of emergency in Haiti highlights the severity of the situation, with clashes damaging communications and resulting in prison breaks after threats from armed group leader, Jimmy “Barbeque” Cheriziter, to overthrow Henry’s government.