Ariel Henry steps down from his position as prime minister of Haiti, clearing the path for a new government to assume authority.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Ariel Henry tendered his resignation on Thursday as the prime minister of Haiti, opening the path for the formation of a new government in the Caribbean nation. Haiti has been grappling with rampant gang violence, which claimed the lives of over 2,500 individuals and left many others injured between January and March.

Henry submitted his resignation through a letter signed in Los Angeles, dated April 24, which was made public by his office on Thursday. Coincidentally, this announcement coincided with the swearing-in of a council responsible for selecting a new prime minister and Cabinet for Haiti.

Meanwhile, the remaining members of Henry's Cabinet have appointed Michel Patrick Boisvert, the Minister of Economy and Finance, as the interim prime minister. The timeline for the transitional council to designate its own interim prime minister remains uncertain at this time.

Speaking in a packed and humid chamber within the prime minister's office, Boisvert emphasized that Haiti's prolonged crisis necessitated immediate action, noting the nation's pivotal juncture. He was flanked by the members of the transitional council, alongside Haiti's senior police and military authorities.

"After extensive deliberation spanning two months... a resolution has been reached," Boisvert announced. "Today marks a significant milestone in the history of our beloved nation."

He hailed the transitional council as a "Haitian solution" and directed his words of encouragement towards them. Boisvert expressed his optimism for their success, stating, "I have faith in the determination that exists among us."

Following the speeches, the gentle sound of glasses clinking resonated throughout the room as attendees raised champagne flutes in a solemn toast, uttering "To Haiti."

 

The council was inaugurated earlier on Thursday, over a month subsequent to the announcement of its formation by Caribbean leaders during an emergency summit aimed at addressing Haiti's escalating crisis. Concerned expressions crossed faces as gunfire rang out during the council's swearing-in ceremony at the National Palace.

The nine-member council, with seven possessing voting rights, is anticipated to contribute to shaping the agenda for a new Cabinet. Additionally, it will be responsible for appointing a provisional electoral commission, a prerequisite for holding elections, and forming a national security council.

The council's mandate, which is non-renewable, concludes on February 7, 2026, coinciding with the scheduled inauguration of a new president.

Smith Augustin, one of the voting members of the council, mentioned the uncertainty regarding whether Boisvert would continue as interim prime minister or if another candidate would be selected. He noted that this matter would be deliberated in the days ahead. "The crisis is reaching a critical point," he remarked.

Regine Abraham, a member of the council without voting privileges, reflected on the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, emphasizing the profound and devastating impact of that violence.

Abraham highlighted that the majority of Port-au-Prince is now under the control of gangs. She noted that tens of thousands of residents in the capital have been displaced due to violence, and over 900 schools in the area have been compelled to shut down.

"The population of Port-au-Prince is effectively being held hostage," she stated.

Starting on February 29, gangs initiated synchronized assaults in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and its environs. They targeted police stations and hospitals, set fires, launched attacks on the primary international airport, which has been non-operational since early March, and raided Haiti's two largest prisons, resulting in the release of over 4,000 prisoners. Additionally, gangs have disrupted access to Haiti's largest port.

The attacks commenced while Prime Minister Henry was on an official trip to Kenya, advocating for a U.N.-supported deployment of a police force from the East African nation. He is currently unable to return to Haiti due to the ongoing situation.

"Port-au-Prince is currently experiencing near-complete isolation due to blockades via air, sea, and land," remarked Catherine Russell, Director of UNICEF, earlier this week.

The global community has called upon the council to address Haiti's extensive insecurity as a top priority. Even prior to the onset of the attacks, gangs held sway over 80% of Port-au-Prince. A recent U.N. report revealed that the number of fatalities in early 2024 had surged by over 50% compared to the same timeframe the previous year.

"At a U.N. Security Council meeting on Monday, María Isabel Salvador, the U.N. special envoy for Haiti, emphasized the unprecedented surge in gang activity throughout Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas, alongside the worsening human rights conditions and the intensification of the humanitarian crisis," she remarked.

Present at Boisvert's swearing-in ceremony on Thursday was Dennis Haskins, the recently appointed U.S. ambassador. He noted that Thursday's proceedings marked a significant milestone for Haiti.

"In times of crisis, the people of Haiti have shown remarkable resilience and capability, and we are here to support them," remarked Haskins. "While we may not be the sole solution, we aim to contribute to the efforts of those seeking resolution."

As part of this effort, he stated that the U.S. government is actively engaged in enforcing export controls on weapons, as many of these arms have been trafficked into Haiti, exacerbating the ongoing violence.

"The undeniable reality that a significant portion of the firearms entering Haiti originate from the United States directly influences the situation," acknowledged Haskins. "We acknowledge this as a contributing factor to the instability."

Since the onset of the attacks, close to 100,000 individuals have departed from the capital in pursuit of safer locales. Meanwhile, tens of thousands who were rendered homeless due to gang violence, which resulted in the incineration of their residences, now find themselves residing in overcrowded makeshift shelters scattered throughout Port-au-Prince. These shelters typically accommodate hundreds of residents with only one or two toilets available.

During the United Nations session on Thursday, Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Program, highlighted Haiti's current state of affairs, characterizing it as a convergence of security, political, and humanitarian crises. These challenges have resulted in acute food insecurity for approximately 5 million individuals, roughly half of the population. The U.N. defines acute food insecurity as a situation wherein an individual's inability to access sufficient food jeopardizes their lives or livelihoods.

"The circumstances are dire," Skau informed reporters. "It's a devastating crisis with a massive humanitarian toll, marking the most severe humanitarian situation in Haiti since the earthquake of 2010."

Rachel Pierre, a 39-year-old mother of four children residing in one of the improvised shelters in the capital, expressed, "Despite being physically present, it feels as though I am lifeless."

"I have no food or water. At times, I have nothing to offer my children," she lamented, while her 14-month-old nursed from her depleted breast.

Numerous Haitians are frustrated and fatigued by the harsh reality of their circumstances, holding gangs responsible for their predicament.

"They're the ones responsible for our displacement," remarked Chesnel Joseph, a 46-year-old math teacher whose school shuttered due to the violence. Now serving as the informal director of the shelter, he added, "They subject us to mistreatment, they perpetrate violence against us, and they destroy our homes."