ARIEL HENRY, HAITI'S PRIME MINISTER, STEPS DOWN AS GANG VIOLENCE INCREASES IN THE NATION.

Ariel Henry, the prime minister of Haiti, resigned in the face of lethal gang violence in his nation, despite Kenya's intention to dispatch police personnel.

Irfaan Ali, the President of Guyana and the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), announced his resignation.

"We accept his resignation following the appointment of an interim prime minister and the formation of the transitional presidential council," he declared.

On March 1, 2024, Kenya and Haiti inked an agreement for the deployment of 1,000 police personnel. In the presence of President William Ruto and Prime Minister Ariel Henry of Haiti, the security ministers of the two nations signed the agreement. /PCS.

Since then, heavy gunmen have blocked Port-au-Prince's main airport, threatening to prevent him from coming back.

The Prime Minister and other top officials he had come to Kenya with were left trapped in the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico due to the escalation of violence.

A transitional presidential council was established to select an acting prime minister after Henry's departure.

According to Ali, the presidential council will consist of seven voting members, two observers, and representatives from various coalitions, the business community, civil society, and one religious leader.

"Kenya is the lead nation, but there are so many other nations that have pledged to contribute troops, and this came from the mandate of the United Nations Security Council so it is part of our international obligations," he said. "All the other programs are in place, including the status of forces agreement and the laws on detention arrests and other enforcement measures are now in place."

Kenya's decision to send troops to Haiti in the wake of the Prime Minister's resignation is yet unknown.