Haiti's Prime Minister Steps Down, Transition Council Takes Charge in Nation Struggling with Violence

Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry has announced his resignation on Thursday. He will be handing over power to a transitional council that aims to bring stability to the violence-stricken nation.

In his resignation letter dated Wednesday, Henry mentioned that he believes it is the appropriate time for him to step down. He acknowledged the challenging circumstances the nation has faced and expressed gratitude to those who stood by him during these difficult times.

Haiti is currently experiencing a period of chaos and gang violence, with criminal groups targeting government buildings and causing social disorder.

Finance minister Michael Patrick Boisvert has been named as the interim prime minister of the Caribbean nation until a new government can be established, as announced by Henry's office on Thursday.

"Haiti, our beloved country, is facing a critical moment as we strive to find solutions to the ongoing political crisis. This crisis has had long-lasting effects on our people, our land, and our essential infrastructure," Boisvert expressed during the inauguration ceremony held at the Prime Minister's office, Villa d'Accueil.

Police patrolling a street in Port-au-Prince in March. The city has been essentially cut off from the outside world, amid months of gang violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Police have been patrolling a street in Port-au-Prince in March. The city has been isolated from the rest of the world due to ongoing gang violence and a deteriorating humanitarian situation.

A transitional council, made up of seven voting members and two non-voting observers, has the important job of selecting a new prime minister and cabinet. This committee will have temporary presidential powers until a new president is sworn in by February 7, 2026.

In March, Henry revealed his intention to resign after a choice was made regarding the country's future leadership. Shortly after, the transitional council was established.

CARICOM expressed their support for the council's establishment, seeing it as a positive step forward for Haiti. The United Nations Secretary General's spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, also welcomed the news and urged for the quick deployment of a multinational security mission to assist Haiti's police.

A server is seen giving soup to children at a shelter for families affected by gang violence in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Odelyn Joseph/AP

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Haiti is facing a growing hunger crisis as violence by gangs continues to escalate, according to warnings from aid workers. In Port-au-Prince, the capital city, a coalition of gangs has been carrying out attacks since February. This has led to the shutdown of the international airport and seaport, disrupting the delivery of essential food and aid supplies. As a result, many foreign nationals are being evacuated from the city.

Hospitals in the city have been vandalized and warehouses storing food and essential supplies have been broken into as the social fabric frays. With the city virtually cut off from the outside world.

Nearly 5 million people in Haiti are suffering from acute food insecurity, according to the UN. This is defined as when a person's inability to consume adequate food poses immediate danger to their lives or livelihoods.

Jean-Martin Bauer, the World Food Programme’s country director for Haiti, expressed that the current situation in Haiti is the worst humanitarian crisis since the 2010 earthquake. He emphasized that the gravity of the situation may not have fully registered with people yet.

In a troubling report, the UN human rights office highlighted the prevalence of sexual violence in Haiti. The report revealed that instances of sexual violence are significantly underreported and often go unpunished. It also documented cases of rape and forced sexual relations with gang members, as well as a concerning rise in gang violence across the country.

CNN’s Hira Humayun and Caitlin Stephen Hu contributed reporting

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