Haiti's Prime Minister Resigns Amid Ongoing Political and Economic Crisis

Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry has resigned from office amid an ongoing political and economic crisis in the Caribbean nation. Henry presented his resignation in a letter signed in Los Angeles on April 24, 2024, leaving the way clear for a new government to be formed.

The resignation comes as a nine-member council, with seven voting members, is set to be installed to help choose a new prime minister and cabinet, appoint a provisional electoral commission, and establish a national security council. The council's mandate expires in February 2026, when a new president is scheduled to be sworn in.

The installation of the council was met with sporadic gunfire, highlighting the precarious security situation in the country. The crisis in Haiti has been marked by spiraling gang violence, which has killed thousands, displaced tens of thousands, and forced the closure of schools and businesses. Gangs in Haiti have vowed to topple the government and prevent the transitional council from taking power, as they control most of the capital and have attacked key infrastructure.

Why this matters: Haiti's ongoing political instability and gang violence have exacerbated a severe humanitarian crisis, with nearly 5 million people suffering from acute food insecurity and 360,000 internally displaced. The international community has urged the transitional council to prioritize addressing the widespread insecurity and pave the way for free and fair elections.

The international community has welcomed the formation of the transitional council, hoping it will mark a new beginning for Haiti. The United Nations Secretary General's spokesperson called for the swift deployment of a multinational security mission to support Haiti's police. "The installation of the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) marks the first step in addressing the chaos following gang warfare and other crises, including economic vulnerability and natural disasters, that have plagued Haiti since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise," the spokesperson said.

Finance Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert has been appointed as the interim Prime Minister pending the formation of a new government. The transitional council, which includes former ambassadors, economists, politicians, and a judge representing various political parties and groups in Haiti, faces the challenge of how to respond to Haiti's powerful gangs, some of which were excluded from the transitional talks.

Key Takeaways

• Haiti's PM Ariel Henry resigns amid political and economic crisis.
• A 9-member transitional council will choose a new PM and cabinet.
• Sporadic gunfire marks the council's installation, highlighting insecurity.
• Widespread gang violence has exacerbated Haiti's humanitarian crisis.
• The international community calls for a multinational security mission.