Ariel Henry before stepping down from his position after external pressure (French)

Haiti's interim Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, agreed on Monday to step down from his position, the head of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) announced in a press conference following a meeting held in Jamaica to discuss the situation in Haiti, which is suffering from gang violence and is witnessing a governance crisis.

The President of Guyana and Caricom, Muhammad Irfaan Ali, said: Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has tendered his resignation, announcing a transitional governance agreement that paves the way for a peaceful transfer of power.

Henry went to Kenya late last month to ensure that it leads an international security mission supported by the United Nations to help the police fight armed gangs, but the significant escalation in violence in the capital, Puerto Princesa, during his absence left him stranded in Puerto Rico, USA.

The President of Guyana and Caricom said that the Transitional Presidential Council in Haiti will include observers and seven voting members, including representatives of several coalitions, the private sector, civil society and one religious leader.

He added that the council had been tasked "quickly" with appointing an interim prime minister, and that no one intending to run in Haiti's upcoming elections would be able to hold the position.

Henry's resignation comes after the region's leaders met on Monday in neighboring Jamaica to discuss a framework for a political transition, which the United States called last week to "accelerate" by establishing a presidential council.

Henry, considered corrupt by many Haitians, has repeatedly postponed the elections, saying security must first be restored.

The last term of Haiti's senators expired at the beginning of 2023.

Gang attacks

Violence linked to gangs escalated over the weekend in Haiti, which, like some of the population, are demanding the resignation of the Prime Minister.

In the midst of the chaos that witnessed the capital of Haiti, the country's security forces were able to regain control of the port of Porto-Prince after clashes with gangs last weekend, according to the Director of the National Ports Authority, Jocelane Villiers.

The capital is witnessing clashes between police and armed gangs attacking strategic locations, including the presidential palace, police stations, and prisons.

The International Organization for Migration described the Haitian capital as a "city under siege."

The authorities declared a state of emergency a week ago, which includes a nightly curfew in the Western Administration, which includes the capital.

According to the International Organization for Migration, there are 362,000 people, more than half of whom are children, currently displaced in Haiti, an increase of 15% since the beginning of the year.

Source: Al Jazeera + agencies