Haitian PM resigns amid gang violence

YEREVAN, MARCH 12, ARMENPRESS. Haiti's prime minister, Ariel Henry, will step down once a transition council and temporary replacement have been appointed, he said on March 11, Reuters reports.

Ariel Henry was sworn in, unelected, after Haiti's President, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated in 2021 by Colombian mercenaries. Under a political deal, Haiti was supposed to hold elections and Henry cede power by 7 February, but that did not happen, sparking protests.

Armed gangs massively grew their wealth, influence and territory under his administration, prompting Henry to travel to Kenya in late February to secure its support for a United Nations-backed security missionto help police. Violence in Haiti has spiralled in his absence and his plane was denied entry to Haiti.

"The government that I am leading will resign immediately after the installation of (a transition) council," Henry said in a video address. "I'm asking all Haitians to remain calm and do everything they can for peace and stability to come back as fast as possible."

Videos distributed on Haitian social media showed celebrations in the street, with people dancing to music in a party atmosphere and fireworks launched into the night sky.

According to Reuters, regional leaders met on March 11 in nearby Jamaica to discuss the framework for a political transition, which the U.S. had urged last week to be “expedited” as armed gangs sought to topple his government.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had earlier Monday said the council would be tasked with meeting the "immediate needs" of Haitians, enabling the security mission's deployment and creating security conditions necessary for free elections.