Tensions rise in Haiti as leadership remains in balance
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[March 16, 2024]
PORT-AU-PRINCE (Reuters) - Residents braced for another
tense night in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince on Friday, as attacks
continued across parts of the city in the aftermath of the resignation
of Prime Minister Henry and in the absence of a clear plan to replace
him.
"Ariel Henry resigned but we are still in political distress," said
resident Claude Atilus. "We must take our destiny into our own hands. I
want the political players to rise to the task and commit themselves to
organizing the country."
A man walked through the city's Champ de Mars square carrying a white
coffin over his head, while further out in the city's sprawling Delmas
neighborhood, flaming tires and roadblocks lined the streets.
"The situation is not good for us," said vendor Jean-Phillipe
Jean-Louis, adding he was exhausted, prices were exorbitant and working
on the streets was dangerous.
"When we merchants go out into the streets looking for money to feed our
children and wives, we find nothing," he said.
The United Nations' children's fund has warned of record hunger and
life-threatening malnutrition concentrated in the capital's poorest,
most dangerous and busiest neighborhoods, with one in four children
nationwide suffering chronic malnutrition, or stunting.
Satellite images on Thursday showed shipping containers blocking access
to heavy cranes at the country's main cargo port, which shut operations
after a break-in, and set up around the country's National Palace, the
site of heavy shooting last week.
Local media reported police were facing off late on Friday with gangs in
the Delmas area, traditionally a stronghold of the G9 alliance led by
Jimmy "Barbeque" Cherizier.
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Police officers take part in an operation on the surroundings of the
National Penitentiary following a fire, as a powerful gang leader in
Haiti has issued a threatening message aimed at political leaders
who would take part in a still-unformed transition council for the
country, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 14, 2024. REUTERS/Ralph
Tedy Erol
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2024/Mar/16/images/ads/current/immanuellutheran_lda_LENT_030424.png)
Henry, the country's unelected prime minister, said he would step
down on Monday as he faced international pressure while stranded in
Puerto Rico, as an escalation of fighting in the capital prevented
him from returning home.
His resignation is pending the appointment of an interim replacement
chosen by a transition council, but the members of the council have
yet to be decided and some political groups tapped for
representation have rejected the plan, proposed by regional leaders,
or been unable to unite their factions.
Cherizier this week threatened politicians who take part in the
council and said Henry's resignation marked just "a first step in
the battle" for the Caribbean nation.
Local outlet Gazette Haiti reported that meetings on a compromise
were set to take place on Saturday.
(Reporting by Jefferson Philogene and Harold Isaac in
Port-au-Prince, Michelle Nichols at the United Nations and Sarah
Morland in Mexico City; Editing by William Mallard)
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