Ariel Henry is a Haitian politician who assumed the position of Prime Minister in July 2021, during a period of political turbulence in Haiti.
Henry is a medical doctor by training, and prior to becoming Prime Minister, he was known for his work in public health and as a human rights activist. He held various government and academic positions throughout his career, including Minister of Health and Labor.
As Prime Minister, Henry faced enormous challenges, including the need to restore political stability, address the growing gang violence, and deal with the consequences of the 2021 earthquake that devastated parts of the country.
His tenure was marked by efforts to seek dialogue and cooperation with different sectors of Haitian society and the international community. However, his term was short and tumultuous, with political controversies and criticisms of his leadership.
Amid an escalation of gang violence in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, 74, announced his resignation. The decision comes amid a political and security crisis gripping the Caribbean nation. The Caribbean Community (Caricom) released an agreement in the early hours of Tuesday (12) to create a transitional council composed of representatives from various political movements and the business sector, aiming to seek solutions to the instability plaguing Haiti.
The temporary president of the Caribbean bloc, Irfaan Ali of Guyana, announced the recognition of the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, in favor of the establishment of a presidential transitional council and the appointment of an interim prime minister. The decision was made during a meeting in Jamaica, where Caribbean leaders discussed solutions for a power transition in Haiti.
Ali revealed that the agreement establishes the creation of a transitional council composed of seven voting members and two non-voting observers. The council will include representatives from various Haitian political movements and the business sector, as well as a member of civil society and a religious representative from the country as observers.
Hours after the announcement during the Caricom meeting, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry took to social media to inform that his government will resign immediately after the installation of the transitional council.
In the shared video, Henry expressed his gratitude to the Haitian people for the opportunity given to him, emphasizing that, although not elected, he assumed the position of Prime Minister after the assassination of then-President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
He detailed that the transitional council will have “specific presidential authorities during the transition, determined by majority vote.” Additionally, he stressed that among the council members there cannot be individuals who have been prosecuted or imprisoned in any jurisdiction, who are subject to United Nations (UN) sanctions, who have an interest in participating in the upcoming elections, or who oppose the UN resolution to send a support mission to Haiti’s security.
The transitional council, with powers equivalent to the presidency until the installation of a new elected government, will have various responsibilities, including the creation of a provisional electoral council and another for national security. Additionally, it will continue negotiations with the international community to expedite the deployment of the security mission to Haiti, led by Kenya.
During the closing of the Caricom meeting, the temporary president of the bloc, Irfaan Ali, made an appeal for all parties, representatives, and Haitians to have patience and give a chance for the agreement to work.
It is important to emphasize that Ariel Henry’s resignation will only become effective after the implementation of the transitional council. Currently, he is in Puerto Rico, after making a stopover during his trip to Kenya to negotiate the deployment of the Haiti security support mission.
Due to recent attacks on aircraft, the airport in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, has been closed as a security measure.
After being denied a stopover in the Dominican Republic due to security concerns, Ariel Henry, in his resignation video, urged Haitians to remain calm and work for the swift restoration of peace and stability. According to reports from Reuters, videos shared on social media showed celebrations in the streets, with dances and fireworks after the resignation.
The transitional council, invested with powers equivalent to the presidency until the election of a new government, will have a series of responsibilities, including the creation of a provisional electoral council and another for national security. Additionally, it will continue negotiations with the international community to expedite the deployment of the security mission to Haiti, led by Kenya.
During the closing of the Caricom meeting, the temporary president of the bloc, Irfaan Ali, made an appeal for all parties, representatives, and Haitians to have patience and give a chance for the agreement to work.
It is crucial to highlight that Ariel Henry’s resignation will only be effective after the implementation of the transitional council. Currently, he is in Puerto Rico, after making a stopover during his trip to Kenya to negotiate the deployment of the Haiti security support mission.
Due to recent attacks on aircraft, the airport in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, has been closed as a security measure.
Wave of Violence
The wave of violence in Haiti has been a persistent problem that has deeply affected the stability and security of the country. In recent years, Haiti has faced a series of challenges, including increased gang activity, political and social conflicts, as well as natural disasters.
Gangs have increasingly exerted control over urban areas, especially in the capital, Port-au-Prince, imposing violence and instability on the local population. This has led to a climate of widespread fear and insecurity, negatively impacting the daily lives of Haitians and hindering the functioning of government institutions.
Additionally, political instability, marked by power struggles and corruption, has contributed to the worsening situation. The assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021 further fueled uncertainty and political turmoil, leaving the country in a state of governmental limbo.
The humanitarian situation in Haiti is concerning, with thousands of people displaced due to violence and lack of basic living conditions. The international community has sought to provide humanitarian assistance and support to help the country address these challenges, but lasting resolution of these problems requires coordinated and sustained efforts, both nationally and internationally.
Ariel Henry’s resignation amid the wave of violence and political instability in Haiti reflects the profound challenges the country faces and the need for strong and stable leadership to effectively address these problems.
