Haiti’s Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, tendered his resignation on Thursday, clearing the path for the formation of a new government in the Caribbean nation.
As reported by CBS News, Henry submitted his resignation via a letter dated April 24, which was endorsed by his office in Los Angeles.
This significant development unfolded on the same day that a council responsible for selecting a fresh prime minister and cabinet for Haiti was scheduled to be sworn in. The creation of this interim council was announced over a month ago by Caribbean leaders during an emergency meeting aimed at addressing Haiti’s deepening political and crime-related crises.
Comprising nine members, with seven possessing voting rights, the council is poised not only to aid in the formation of a new cabinet but also to steer the nation’s agenda. Additionally, it is tasked with appointing a provisional electoral commission—a prerequisite for organizing elections—and establishing a national security council.
Haiti has been grappling with security challenges since February, marked by coordinated attacks by gangs in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and its environs. These assailants targeted police stations, hospitals, and even the main international airport, which has been shuttered since early March. Furthermore, they launched assaults on Haiti’s largest prisons, leading to the release of over 4,000 inmates.