Ariel Henry Steps Down as Haiti’s Prime Minister Amidst Ongoing Gang Violence Crisis
Port-au-Prince, Haiti – Amidst the relentless onslaught of gang violence that has plagued Haiti for months, Ariel Henry officially resigned as the country’s Prime Minister on Thursday. Henry’s resignation paves the way for the formation of a new government, offering a glimmer of hope for the Caribbean nation that has witnessed the death or injury of over 2,500 people due to gang-related incidents between January and March this year.
In a letter dated April 24, which was signed in Los Angeles and released by his office on Thursday, Henry presented his resignation. Coincidentally, the day also marked the swearing-in of a council tasked with the responsibility of selecting a new Prime Minister and Cabinet for Haiti. In the interim, Michel Patrick Boisvert, the Economy and Finance Minister, has been chosen as the interim Prime Minister by Henry’s remaining Cabinet. However, the exact timeline for the selection of a permanent interim Prime Minister by the transitional council remains unknown.
During a gathering at the Prime Minister’s office, Boisvert addressed the crowd, acknowledging that Haiti has been embroiled in a protracted crisis that has brought the country to a critical juncture. Standing alongside him were the members of the transitional council, as well as the top police and military officials of the country.
Boisvert expressed his optimism, stating, “After two long months of debate…a solution has been found. Today is an important day in the life of our dear republic.” He referred to the transitional council as a “Haitian solution” and extended his well wishes for their success, emphasizing his belief in their determination.
The council was formally installed on Thursday, following the announcement of its creation by Caribbean leaders over a month ago in response to Haiti’s escalating crisis. The sound of gunfire outside the National Palace, where the swearing-in ceremony took place, served as a disturbing reminder of the pressing issues at hand.
Comprising nine members, with seven possessing voting powers, the council is expected to play a crucial role in setting the agenda for a new Cabinet. Additionally, it will appoint a provisional electoral commission, a mandatory step prior to the conduct of elections, and establish a national security council.
The council’s non-renewable mandate is set to expire on February 7, 2026, the date earmarked for the swearing-in of a new president. Smith Augustin, a voting member of the council, highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that the crisis has become unsustainable. Whether Boisvert will continue as the interim Prime Minister or another individual will be chosen is a matter that will be discussed in the upcoming days.
Regine Abraham, a non-voting council member, drew attention to the devastating impact of violence in Haiti, citing the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. Abraham emphasized that most parts of Port-au-Prince are now under the control of gangs, causing the displacement of tens of thousands of residents and the closure of more than 900 schools in the capital.
“The population of Port-au-Prince has literally been taken hostage,” Abraham lamented. This dire situation is a result of coordinated attacks by gangs that began on February 29, targeting the capital and surrounding areas. Police stations, hospitals, the main international airport, and Haiti’s largest prisons were all subject to destruction and chaos. Furthermore, access to the country’s biggest port has been severed by these criminal organizations.
The series of attacks unfolded while Prime Minister Henry was on an official visit to Kenya to advocate for the deployment of a U.N.-backed police force from the East African country. Consequently, Henry has been locked out of Haiti. As a result, Port-au-Prince has effectively been isolated from the rest of the world due to blockades both by air and sea.
The international community has urged the council to prioritize addressing Haiti’s widespread insecurity. Even before the onset of these attacks, gangs already controlled 80% of Port-au-Prince. A recent U.N. report revealed that the number of people killed in early 2024 had increased by more than 50% compared to the same period in the previous year.
María Isabel Salvador, the U.N. special envoy for Haiti, described the increase in gang activity as “impossible to overstate” during a U.N. Security Council meeting on Monday. She emphasized the alarming deterioration of human rights, the deepening humanitarian crisis, and the impact on the security situation in Port-au-Prince and beyond.
Dennis Haskins, the newly appointed U.S. Ambassador, was present at Boisvert’s swearing-in ceremony. He recognized the significance of the events unfolding in Haiti, stating, “In crisis, the Haitians are able to do tremendous things, so we’re here to help them. We won’t be the solution but hopefully we will be part of helping those finding the solution.” As part of this assistance, the U.S. government is working towards enforcing export controls on weapons, many of which have found their way into Haiti, fueling the ongoing violence.
The effects of the gang violence crisis have led to nearly 100,000 individuals fleeing the capital in search of safer cities and towns. Countless others, who have lost their homes due to arson committed by gangs, now find themselves living in overcrowded and makeshift shelters across Port-au-Prince. These shelters, designed to accommodate hundreds of residents, often provide only one or two toilets, exacerbating the dire living conditions.
Furthermore, Haiti is currently facing a triad of crises – security, political, and humanitarian – resulting in acute food insecurity for around 5 million people, or roughly half of the population, as per Carl Skau, the Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Program. Such dire circumstances, which threaten lives and livelihoods, represent the country’s worst humanitarian situation since the devastating earthquake in 2010.
Rachel Pierre, a 39-year-old mother of four residing in one of the makeshift shelters, poignantly expressed the suffocating despair, remarking, “Although I’m physically here, it feels like I’m dead.” Pierre described the challenging circumstances, including the scarcity of food and water, and her struggles to provide for her children, with her infant dependent on her for sustenance.
Infused with anger and exhaustion, many Haitians hold the gangs responsible for their current predicament. Chesnel Joseph, a 46-year-old math teacher who had to take on the role of the shelter’s informal director after his school closed due to violence, exclaimed, “They’re the ones who sent us here. They mistreat us. They kill us. They burn our homes.”
As we analyze the implications of the ongoing crisis in Haiti and its future implications, it is crucial to draw connections to current events and emerging trends. The situation in Haiti serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of political stability and security in developing nations. The lack of adequate governance structures, compounded by systemic corruption and economic disparities, has created an environment ripe for criminal organizations to thrive.
The immediate priority must be to restore law and order, safeguard the human rights of Haitian citizens, and create an atmosphere conducive to national development. In this pursuit, international cooperation and support are indispensable. The recent involvement of the U.S. government, alongside other global stakeholders, signifies the recognition of the gravity of the crisis and the need for collaborative efforts to spur change.
Looking ahead, the rehabilitation and rebuilding of Haiti will require a multi-faceted approach. Strengthening the rule of law, reforming the security apparatus, and ensuring transparent and accountable governance are paramount. Simultaneously, initiatives that promote economic growth, foster job creation, and alleviate poverty must be implemented to address the underlying socio-economic factors that contribute to instability.
Moreover, efforts to combat arms trafficking, in coalition with strict export controls on weapons, are imperative to stem the flow of firearms into the hands of criminal organizations. Similarly, providing humanitarian aid, particularly in the form of food and medical assistance, is crucial to mitigating the immediate suffering of the affected population and preventing a complete collapse of societal structures.
The situation in Haiti also highlights the importance of long-term strategies to prevent the recurrence of such crises. This entails investing in education, healthcare, and infrastructure while prioritizing the development of sustainable industries. By fostering an environment of inclusivity and empowering marginalized communities, the cycle of violence and unrest can be broken.
As the search for a new prime minister and the formation of a government proceed in Haiti, the nation stands at a crossroads. The decisions made in the coming months will shape the path towards stability, prosperity, and ultimately, a brighter future for the Haitian people. While the challenges are immense, with global support and a unified vision, Haiti has the potential to overcome its current plight and emerge as a beacon of resilience in the face of adversity.
In conclusion, the situation in Haiti serves as an urgent reminder of the pressing need to address systemic issues that give rise to violence and instability in developing nations. By fostering collaboration