PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) – The capital of Haiti remained peaceful on Wednesday for the second consecutive day after Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s announcement of his impending resignation. This follows a period of escalating violence by powerful gangs that has resulted in thousands of people being displaced from their homes.
Henry stated on Monday that he would step down from his position once a transitional council is able to assume control. In response, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed confidence that the transitional council would be established in the coming days.
Blinken also shared that Kenyan President William Ruto has confirmed their willingness to lead a much-needed security mission to Haiti, once the new council is in place and an interim prime minister is selected.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also weighed in on the situation, urging Haitian leaders to take decisive action. “We need to see Haiti’s political class unite and find a way forward,” Trudeau emphasized during a press conference in Calgary.
Trudeau acknowledged the longstanding challenges faced by Haiti, a country that, like Canada, has a history of poverty and political instability. Despite decades of international intervention, Haiti continues to grapple with complex issues.
“The international community has been intervening for 30 years in Haiti, and we are still finding ourselves in this impossible situation,” Trudeau remarked, emphasizing Canada’s commitment to remain actively engaged in resolving the crisis.
Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, Haiti has experienced a surge in lawlessness, with gangs taking advantage of the weakened security forces. The unelected Prime Minister Henry has faced mounting opposition from both within the country and abroad.
Many countries have been cautious about supporting Henry’s government, as it is perceived as corrupt by a significant portion of the Haitian population. The international community is also mindful of past interventions in Haiti that have been marred by controversies, including a sexual abuse scandal and a cholera epidemic.
Despite the political turmoil, life in Port-au-Prince appeared relatively normal on Wednesday, with residents going about their daily routines, purchasing goods from vendors, and collecting water. There were no reports of new attacks on critical infrastructure or government buildings, and visible gang activity was minimal.
However, reports emerged that the powerful gang leader, Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, had rejected the transitional council proposed by Henry. The situation remains fluid, and independent confirmation of Cherizier’s stance was not immediately available.
Meanwhile, the United Nations announced that non-essential staff in Haiti will begin to evacuate due to the escalating security concerns. The UN employs a significant number of international and local staff in Haiti, with plans to relocate those deemed non-essential to safer locations.
(Reporting by Harold Isaac in Port-au-Prince. Additional reporting by David Ljunggren in Ottawa, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations, and Humeyra Pamuk and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington; Writing by David Alire Garcia; Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)
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