Haitian Leader Resigns

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation yesterday amid the country's escalating gang violence, vowing to dissolve his government once a transitional council is established. The timing of an interim government remains unclear.

A gang alliance, dubbed “the G9 family and allies,” is led by former police officer Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier and controls about 80% of the Caribbean country’s capital. The gang orchestrated a mass jailbreak last week, causing widespread violence amid calls for Henry to resign. Henry, who defied a Feb. 7 deadline to step down and allow for new elections, has been acting prime minister since the assassination of Jovenel Moïse—Henry was accused of having links to participants in the assassination. 

A UN-sponsored international security support mission is expected to assist Haiti in restoring order—Haiti has roughly 10,000 police officers in a country of 11 million. However, the force, which would be led by 1,000 police officers from Kenya, is on hold until a new government is formed. The US said earlier this week it would contribute $300M to support the mission.