A combined picture shows Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry getting off a plane, alongside chaotic scenes where gangs roam the streets of Port-au-Prince. IMAGE FILE
In Summary:
- As chaos persists in Haiti due to delayed Kenyan police deployment, the US explores alternative measures to restore order.
- US officials advocate for Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation to pave the way for new governing structures, expressing skepticism about his leadership.
Amid mounting chaos in Haiti due to the prolonged delay in the deployment of Kenyan police officers, the United States is pursuing alternative strategies to quell the unrest.
According to officials from the White House and the State Department cited by the Miami Herald, the US government is pressuring Prime Minister Ariel Henry to step down from his interim presidency role.
The objective is to facilitate the establishment of new governing structures and the appointment of a new prime minister, or to await the deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) force.
Expressing doubt about Henry’s leadership capabilities, one US official revealed that the Biden administration has lost confidence in Henry’s willingness to relinquish power for a democratic transition.
The official emphasized that Henry appears intent on retaining authority.
Furthermore, US Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas Greenfield, disclosed that Henry had been urged to form a transitional council responsible for appointing an interim prime minister, a move contingent upon his resignation.
She stated, “What we’ve asked the Haitian prime minister to do is move forward on the political process that will lead to the establishment of a presidential transitional council that will lead to elections. We think that is urgent.”
Meanwhile, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller emphasized the US’s call for Henry to expedite the transition process towards inclusive governance.
He noted ongoing discussions between US officials and the Prime Minister regarding the matter.
As negotiations to persuade Henry to resign persist, US and Caribbean officials engage in dialogue with Haitian stakeholders to finalize details concerning the composition of the new governing structure.
Keep Reading:
- Government Directs Fresh Vetting for Pharmacies and Agrovets In A Month
- How New Electronic Speed Limit Sticker Will Track Offenders Countrywide
- Kasarani Death Probe: Autopsy Shows No Stab Wounds in Lady Who Fell from 10th Floor Apartment
Concerns loom over the Haiti National Police’s (HNP) vulnerability to collapse in the absence of urgent deployment.
“The government could fall at any time. If the HNP dissolves as an effective counterforce, if we see the airport or the presidential palace fall, it’s over,” remarked one US official.
Despite the US’s decision against dispatching their police force, the Biden administration seeks to expedite the deployment of Kenyan officers and those from other nations.
Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s recent visit to Kenya to finalize an agreement for the deployment of 1,000 police officers faced turmoil in Haiti in his absence.
Gangs seized control of the country, leading to prisoner releases and disruption of airport operations. Henry sought refuge in Puerto Rico before returning to Haiti amidst the upheaval.