New Transitional Council Sworn In as Haiti's Prime Minister Resigns Amidst Ongoing Chaos
ICARO Media Group
In a tumultuous turn of events, Haiti's de facto prime minister, Ariel Henry, has resigned from his position, leaving the country in further disarray. The resignation comes as gangs in Haiti had vowed to resist the establishment of a transitional council, seeking to maintain their control over the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Amidst the prevailing violence, a new transitional council comprising nine members, including Finance Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert, has been sworn in during a low-key ceremony that took place within the grounds of the National Palace. The council intends to protect the constitution and pave the way for an international peacekeeping force.
Video footage circulating on local news outlets captured the solemn moment of the council members taking their oath, which was starkly juxtaposed with the distant sound of gunfire. Criminal gangs, wielding significant power in the capital, have attacked vital infrastructures such as the airport, police stations, and government installations, effectively isolating the city from the outside world for an extended period.
The United Nations' humanitarian office warns of the dire humanitarian situation, with more than 90,000 displaced individuals in the capital alone. Shockingly, UNICEF reports that an estimated 3 million children in Haiti are in desperate need of humanitarian assistance. In her address to the U.N. Security Council, Catherine Russell, the head of UNICEF, emphasized the catastrophic nature of the situation, further deteriorating with each passing day.
Former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was on an official visit to Kenya in a bid to secure international peacekeeping assistance, is now stranded in Los Angeles, unable to return to Haiti due to the rampant gang-led violence. Henry had previously announced his intention to step down once a transitional council had been formed.
The newly appointed interim Prime Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert now faces the daunting task of navigating the grave challenges that lie ahead. The transitional council's primary objective is to establish stability and pave the way for an international peacekeeping force to restore order in Haiti.
As Haiti battles with escalating violence, widespread displacement, and acute humanitarian needs, international attention has turned towards finding lasting solutions to restore stability and rebuild the nation. The fate of Haiti now rests heavily on the shoulders of the transitional council, as the international community watches anxiously for potential resolutions to the ongoing crisis.