Haiti Faces Civil War Threat as Gang Leader Demands Prime Minister’s Resignation
The Caribbean nation of Haiti is on the brink of a civil war as a notorious gang leader, Jimmy Chérizier, demands the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. Chérizier, also known as Barbecue, warned that failure to comply with his demands could lead to a catastrophic conflict that may result in genocide. Clad in an olive green tactical vest and surrounded by armed foot soldiers wearing balaclavas, Chérizier made his statement to the press, painting a grim picture of Haiti’s future.
The crisis began six days ago when a coalition of gangs initiated a deadly offensive against the government. The gang fighters stormed prisons, releasing thousands of inmates, and laid siege to strategic locations in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, including airports, police stations, and a port. The violence has escalated to the point where most flights in and out of the country have been canceled, with gangs launching renewed attacks on the main international airport.
The situation has left the country in a state of chaos and uncertainty. Jean-Marc Biquet, the head of Médecins Sans Frontières mission in Haiti, expressed his concerns about the lack of control. He fears that if the police give up the fight, it could lead to total chaos. The absence of any significant response from Prime Minister Ariel Henry and his administration has only added to the distress felt by the Haitian people.
Monique Clesca, a writer and political activist based in Port-au-Prince, blames the unrest on the inaction and incompetence of Henry’s administration. She finds it horrifying and heartbreaking that there has been no word from the government amidst such turmoil. Henry himself has been largely absent since the gang rebellion began. He was in Kenya at the time, trying to expedite the deployment of a multinational security force. Speculation about his whereabouts ended when he attempted to return to Haiti from the United States, but his private jet was denied clearance to land in both Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic. Henry was forced to retreat to Puerto Rico’s capital, San Juan, leaving his next move uncertain.
The United States, which had previously supported Henry, reportedly contacted him during his attempted return to Haiti, urging him to agree to the creation of a transitional government and resign. The Biden administration has been involved in efforts to resolve the crisis, but it remains to be seen how they will proceed. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council has called for an emergency meeting to address Haiti’s escalating security crisis, which exacerbates the already dire humanitarian situation in the country. Nearly half of Haiti’s population is facing acute hunger, according to the World Food Programme.
In response to Chérizier’s demand for Henry’s resignation, the US State Department spokesperson, Matthew Miller, emphasized the need for all actors to prioritize the well-being of the Haitian people. He called for an end to violence and urged the necessary concessions to establish inclusive governance, hold free and fair elections, and restore democracy.
As Haiti teeters on the edge of a civil war, the international community watches with concern. The fate of this Caribbean nation hangs in the balance, and the decisions made in the coming days will determine whether Haiti descends into further chaos or finds a path towards stability and prosperity.
