The prime minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry, has officially resigned, paving the way for a new government in a nation plagued by gang violence and a humanitarian crisis. With gunshots ringing in the background, a transitional council was sworn in at the National Palace, tasked with restoring order, reforming the constitution, and organizing a presidential election.
Michel Patrick Boisvert, a former minister of economy and finance, has been named as acting prime minister, facing the challenge of leading the country through these turbulent times. Armed gangs, now working together, continue to terrorize neighborhoods, committing heinous acts of violence and threatening to disrupt the political process.
The new governing council holds presidential powers and can remove Boisvert and appoint a replacement at any time. The council aims to have a new president in office and all elected authorities sworn in by February 2026, but the timing of elections remains uncertain. Haiti has been without a president since the assassination of Jovenel Moïse in 2021, with expired terms for all local authorities.
The inauguration of the council has been welcomed by U.S. officials, with plans for a multinational police force led by Kenya to help stabilize the nation. However, concerns remain about the deployment timeline and the allocation of funds for the force. Haitian policy expert Emmanuela Douyon expressed skepticism about the lack of a concrete plan for the police force’s arrival.
As the Kenyan police force prepares to enter Haiti, they will be met with a grim reality of ongoing gang attacks in the capital, Port-au-Prince. The head of the U.N. mission in Haiti, María Isabel Salvador, lamented the escalating violence, with a significant increase in casualties due to gang violence in recent months.
The road ahead for Haiti is uncertain, but the formation of the transitional council marks a crucial step towards stability and inclusive governance. The international community will be closely watching as Haiti navigates through this challenging period towards a brighter future.
