Guyana acknowledges resignation of Haitian PM Henry, US confirms
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Following a CARICOM meeting, the chair of the latter and president of Guyana announced that the CARICOM officially acknowledges Ariel Henry's resignation.
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Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry gives a public lecture at the United States International University (USIU) in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 1, 2024. (AP)
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has agreed to resign and pave the way for a transitional authority, the president of Guyana said on March 11 after a regional meeting addressing the gang insurgence that has driven Haiti into violent chaos.
"We are pleased to announce a commitment to a transitional governance arrangement which paves the way for a peaceful transition of power," the president of Guyana, currently chairing the regional body CARICOM, Irfaan Ali stated.
"To that end, we acknowledge the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry," he added.
As the gangs in Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital, launched a campaign of violence, CARICOM initiated a crisis meeting in Jamaica in which its leaders conferred virtually with Henry and other Haitians.
During the meeting, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken vowed another $100 million to back an "international stabilization force," increasing the total pledged by the United States to $300 million since the crisis escalated several years ago. He also proposed an additional $33 million for what he called immediate humanitarian assistance.
Blinken confirms Henry's resignation
A US official, who escorted Blinken back from the CARICOM meeting, revealed that Henry confirmed his resignation in a telephone conversation on March 12 with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
"From our standpoint he is free to stay where he is, (and) he is free to travel," the official said.
The official, who prefers to remain anonymous, added that the discussions that took place in the meeting shed light on the "importance of there not being reprisals against Prime Minister Henry or his allies."
"I think the situation will have to improve for him to feel comfortable returning to Haiti," the official said.
The official announced that Henry had already made up his mind on resigning on March 8, however, he chose to wait for the announcement as the meeting set out the details of a transitional council that will take charge after he leaves.
During a phone call with the prime minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, from the summit on March 11, Blinken confirmed Henry's resignation, the official added.
Haiti ex-coup leader wants presidency and PM resignation
Guy Philippe, who assisted in leading a coup in Haiti in 2004 and went back to the country last year after serving a prison sentence in the US, urged Haiti's Prime Minister to resign on March 8, announcing that he wished to become president.
In a Zoom interview for Reuters, Philippe stated, "He should resign," adding, "I think he should stay where he is now ... and let Haitians decide their fate."
Seeking on par relations with US, France, Canada
As he criticized the international backing that he believes is behind Henry's remain in power, he stressed that he would try to put his country's relationship with powers like the US, France, and Canada on a more equal grip.
"If Haiti is where it is now, it's partly because of them," he stated, adding, "We are not enemies, we don't hate the United States, we don't hate France or Canada... We know we need their help, we know Haiti is a poor country, but at least we would like to receive this help with dignity."
"No... I know the Americans who are deciding everything here will be wise enough to understand that Haitians want some kind of change," Philippe replied when asked about a potential civil war in Haiti as a gang member warned last week.
