Haiti’s PM resigns as law and order collapses

Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has bowed to the mounting pressure and escalating violence in the country, agreeing to step down.

This decision follows a meeting of regional leaders in Jamaica on Monday, where discussions centred on orchestrating a political transition in Haiti.

Henry finds himself stranded in Puerto Rico after armed gangs stopped his attempts to return home.

Henry called for calm among Haitians in a video statement announcing his resignation.

“The government that I am leading will resign immediately after the installation of [a transition] council,” Henry said.

Expressing gratitude to the Haitian people for the opportunity to serve, Henry urged citizens to remain composed and strive for the swift restoration of peace and stability.

Since assuming interim leadership in July 2021 in the wake of former President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination, Henry had repeatedly delayed elections, citing the need first to restore security.

Many Haitians had questioned the legitimacy of his prolonged governance without an elected president.

In recent days, heavily armed gangs have taken control over the streets of Port-au-Prince, demanding Henry resign.