Gang vows to fight on as Haiti works on govt transition
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A powerful Haitian gang leader pledged on Wednesday to continue the fighting that has plunged the country into chaos, as stakeholders work toward establishing a transitional governing body to replace the outgoing prime minister.
Gangs that control most of the capital Port-au-Prince launched an armed campaign almost two weeks ago saying they intended to topple the outgoing Prime Minister Ariel Henry, sending the nation into violent conflict with warnings of possible famine.
Henry agreed to step aside after an emergency meeting on Monday that brought together United States, United
Nations and Caribbean representatives among others, and yielded a blueprint for Haitians to form a governing Transitional Presidential Council until elections can be held.
But Jimmy Cherizier, a powerful Haitian gang leader known as “Barbecue”, said on Wednesday his coalition of armed groups “do not care about Ariel Henry’s resignation”.
“We are going to continue the fight for Haiti’s liberation,” the former police officer told Spanishlanguage network W Radio.
Haiti has not had a national election since 2016, and there is currently no president or parliament. President Jovenel Moise, who was assassinated in 2021, was not replaced, with Henry leading the country after his death.
Henry has been stranded in Puerto Rico after a visit to Kenya, where he hoped to nail down details of a plan for Nairobi to lead a UN-approved police force to restore order in Haiti.
He announced late on Monday that he would resign when the transitional council is formed.
The US State Department said on Tuesday the council should be formed in 24 or 48 hours, but the talks are turning out to be arduous and most parties contacted by Agence France-Presse said they were not yet near agreement.
Some political parties have rejected the plan to create a presidential council that would manage the transition.
The panel would be responsible for selecting an interim prime minister and a council of ministers that would attempt to chart a new path for the Caribbean country.
Jean-Charles Moise, an ex-senator and presidential candidate, held a news conference on Wednesday to announce his rejection of the proposed council backed by the international community. He insisted that a three-person presidential council should be implemented.