Amidst the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and escalating gang violence, Haiti finds itself at a critical juncture, teetering on the brink of further chaos. While the departure of PM Henry has been met with relief by many Haitians exhausted by months of unrest, the security situation remains precarious.
Gangs, including the notorious ‘Barbecue Gang’ have plunged the nation into turmoil, prompting international concern and calls for urgent action. As Haiti grapples with political uncertainty and widespread violence, the international community closely watches, hoping for a swift resolution to the crisis.
To topple the gangs’ violence, Primer Minister Ariel Henry went to Kenya to sign an agreement for the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMAS), but he could not get back to Haiti as the rebels attacked the airport and all flights were suspended. Amidst this chaos, the Prime Minister resigned. Reports indicate that he resigned after the US asked to step aside in an effort to usher in a transitional political process to stem the unrest.
The situation has worsened so much with the coup in Haiti that many countries including the US have instructed their citizens to leave the country immediately. Armed gangs have captured Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince. However, Barbecue gang leader Jimmy Cherigier alias ‘Barbecue’ has not yet taken command of the country.
PM Henry resigned after the emergency meeting of regional countries. On Monday, regional leaders held a meeting regarding political change in Jamaica and it was only after this meeting that he resigned from his post due to the violence and looting taking place in the country.
In Haiti, armed criminals of the Barbecue Gang have been rebelling against the government for the past several days. The gang was demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. If Henry himself did not resign, then the armed gang had announced to topple the government. Henry had gone to Kenya for the last few days. From there, Henry was seeking cooperation from the US, but the violence of armed gangs increased in the country.
The armed gangs have taken over Haiti and demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Henry. On February 29th, they broke the two biggest jails of Haiti, after which almost 5000 prisoners escaped. Many government buildings, including Haiti’s Presidential Palace, have been targeted by the rebels. Some gangs are so violent that they can even eat the flesh of their victims, as recently happened with Bout Ba, a chief gang, in a video that popped up on social media. There is indiscriminate firing on the streets, gangs are vandalizing shops and houses, after which a state of emergency has been imposed in Haiti.
Haiti is a very poor country without its own army. Corruption is rampant due to a weak police system. Since gaining independence, Haiti has experienced over 30 coups and cases of assassinations of leaders.
As the situation worsened, the Prime Minister fled and is asking the international community for help from UN-backed security forces. Following discussions in Jamaica between Caribbean leaders and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, US officials stated that a new council should be appointed soon.
Michel Boisvert, Haiti’s acting prime minister while Henry was away, has shown willingness to assist in a smooth transition, according to a US State Department official. There were signs of improved security in the capital, Port-au-Prince, with quiet streets and no reported attacks on government offices or police stations.
The main CPS cargo port reopened, and some fuel from the Varreux facility near the port was allowed out, as reported by a local news outlet. However, the capital’s airport remains closed, though armed men who had taken control are no longer there.
Despite this, Radio Television Caraïbes, a major TV station in Haiti, had to relocate its headquarters due to insecurity. Plans to deploy Kenyan police officers to lead an UN-backed security mission to Haiti are on hold until a new interim government is in place, according to a senior Kenyan diplomatic official.
Haiti has not held elections since 2016. Prime Minister Henry has been in power since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. The UN food agency’s director in Haiti stated that four million people are facing severe food insecurity, with one million on the brink of famine.
Expert View from Haiti
Sharing his views with Financial Express Online from Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince, Joseph Harold Pierre, Economist and Political Scientist and Director of the Center for Strategic Development (CSTRAD) explained: “Since 2016, there has been violence in the country. No elections have taken place. Now, the elections are expected to take place next year.”
Which gangs are creating havoc?
According to him, gangs are mainly created by politicians as a political instrument. Today most of these armed groups seem to be independent, but still deal with politicians either to consolidate their power or strengthen adversaries. The gangs are so powerful that they can announce when they will attack police stations. On February 29th
Haiti’s two biggest jails were attacked leading to almost 5000 prisoners coming out. police stations. On February 29th, Haiti’s two biggest jails were attacked leading to almost 5000 prisoners coming out.
Haiti follows Cannibalism?
No. According to Joseph Harold Pierre, “What you see on social media is an isolated case. It is one of the chiefs of the gang seen eating human flesh.”
Why can’t the gangs be controlled as has been done in El Salvador?
“There are around 200 hangs in this country, half of which are in Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. And they are not controlled as there is a lack of political will to do so,” Pierre explains.
What has been decided at CARICOM Meeting?
There is currently a presidential council being built with the support of the CARICOM. It is composed of seven members: former Central Bank governor Fritz Jean, former Senator Edgar Leblanc Fils, Laurent St Cyr, architect Leslie Voltaire, former congressman Vikerson Garnier, former Women Minister Marie Ghislaine Monpremier, and another to be chosen. But there are disagreements regarding this council, which might be the beginning of a new crisis.
What do you see the future of Haiti?
According to him, despite the current crisis, which mainly results from the absence of political and economic elite or leadership in Haiti. Some people are observing how other countries have succeeded and thus striving to inculcate a new vision of Haiti in young people. As an example, the Centre for Strategic Development (CSTRAD), which is specialised on Caribbean issues, has partnered with the Indian think tank RIS (Research and Information System for Developing Countries) as there is a lot to learn for buoying emerging country like India.