Port-au-Prince, Haiti — Following intense international and internal pressure, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has announced his resignation, pledging to step down once a transitional presidential council is established. The decision comes amidst a backdrop of escalating violence and chaos in the country, with experts warning of a potential low-scale civil war unleashed by violent gangs.

The announcement from Henry came shortly after a meeting in Jamaica, where officials including Caribbean leaders and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken convened to address the urgent need for a solution to Haiti’s spiraling crisis. In a video address quoted by Reuters, Henry stated, “The government that I am leading will resign immediately after the installation of (a transition) council. I want to thank the Haitian people for the opportunity I had been granted.”

Henry, who has been unable to enter Haiti due to the ongoing violence that has resulted in the closure of the main international airports, has been staying in Puerto Rico. The Dominican Republic barred his entry last week, citing a lack of a required flight plan, and closed its airspace to flights to and from Haiti.

Amidst the uncertainty of who will lead Haiti out of the crisis, which has seen heavily armed gangs wreak havoc across the country—burning police stations, attacking the main airport, and raiding prisons resulting in the release of over 4,000 inmates—Henry’s decision to resign marks a significant development in the country’s political landscape.

Scores of people have lost their lives, and over 15,000 are now homeless after fleeing neighborhoods targeted by gangs. Essential supplies such as food and water are running low, exacerbating the already dire situation in Haiti. The closure of the main port in Port-au-Prince has further complicated efforts to deliver critical aid to those in need.

Regional Response and International Aid

Caribbean leaders, in a late-night statement on Monday, acknowledged Henry’s resignation and called for the establishment of a transitional presidential council to pave the way for an interim premier. The announcement came after a closed-door meeting in Jamaica, where discussions focused on ending the violent unrest in Haiti.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced additional financial aid, including $100 million to support the deployment of a multinational force to Haiti and $33 million in humanitarian assistance. The proposed joint plan includes the formation of a presidential college, endorsed by Caricom, to facilitate the political transition in Haiti.

Haitian President Irfaan Ali expressed confidence in finding a Haitian-led solution to the crisis, emphasizing the urgent need for decisive action. Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness echoed the sentiment, stating, “Haiti is now at a tipping point, and we must act swiftly to avert further devastation.”

Challenges and Leadership

Amidst the political turmoil and escalating violence, powerful gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, also known as “Barbecue,” called for Haitians to determine the country’s future. Chérizier leads a federation of gangs in Haiti and warned that continued international intervention could plunge the nation into further chaos.

The Haitian government has extended a nighttime curfew in a bid to curb the violence, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the nation. With Henry’s resignation, the focus now shifts to establishing a transitional government and ensuring stability and security for the Haitian people.

Henry’s tenure as an unelected leader, who assumed power following the assassination of Haiti’s president in 2021, underscores the political fragility and instability in the country. With no sitting president or parliament, and no elections held since 2016, Haiti faces a critical juncture in its history.

The international community’s support for a peaceful political transition in Haiti is crucial in addressing the current crisis and paving the way for a stable and prosperous future for the nation and its people.