“I want to thank the
Haitian people for the opportunity I had been granted. I’m asking all Haitians
to remain calm and do everything they can for peace and stability to come back
as fast as possible.”
Henry spoke from Puerto Rico where he has been stranded
after his plane was denied permission to land in his country.
The embattled prime minister was in Kenya seeking support
for a United Nations (UN)-backed Kenyan-led security force for Haiti, as part
of efforts to “restore security”.
While he was away last week, the violence worsened.
The rebel group invaded two of Haiti’s main prisons in the
capital city of Port-au-Prince, freeing over 4,000 inmates.
The gangs also attacked the National Palace, set part of the
interior ministry on fire with petrol bombs, and carried out sustained attacks
on the international airport.
Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, the country’s most notorious
gang leader, said the violence would not stop until the prime minister resigns.
Haiti has not had an election since 2016.
Henry, who had led the country supposedly on an interim
basis since July 2021, following former President Jovenel Moïse’s
assassination, had repeatedly postponed elections, saying security must be
restored first.
Many Haitians had questioned his governing the country for
this long without an elected president and accused him of corruption.
According to the Guyanese president, Henry’s interim
successor will be appointed by a presidential council made up of two observers
and seven voting members.
Ali added that anyone who intends to run in Haiti’s next
elections will not be part of the transitional council.
