A special meeting of CARICOM and its international partners along with Haitian stakeholders on the situation in Haiti, ended early this morning in Jamaica with the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister, Dr. Ariel Henry.

Henry’s resignation paves the way for the setting up of a transitional Presidential Council that will oversee the affairs of the French speaking Caribbean nation until fresh elections are held.

After a full day of meetings and compromises, CARICOM Chairman, President Irfaan Ali communicated the outcome just after midnight.

“We are pleased to announce the commitment to a transitional governance arrangement which paves the way for a peaceful transition of power, continuity of governance and action plan for near-term security  and the road to free and free and fair elections. It further seeks to assure that Haiti will be govern by the rule of law. This commitment reflects hard compromises among a diverse coalition of actors, who have put their country above all differences,” CARICOM Chairman, President Ali stated.

Chaos and terror have reigned across several parts of Haiti over the last month, as gangs took control of majority of the country, demanding the Prime Minister’s resignation.

The CARICOM Special Meeting was called as the situation worsened over the past week.

“To that end, we acknowledge the resignation of Prime Minister, Ariel Henry upon the establishment of a transitional Presidential council and the naming of an interim Prime Minister,” the CARICOM Chair said.

Among the agreements reached was that a Presidential Council comprising of 7 voting members and 2 voting observers will be established. The voting members will be drawn from seven groups in Haiti and will exercise special presidential authorities during the transition operating by majority vote.

The council will meet and select an interim Prime Minister and will establish a transnational cabinet until an elected government is established.

The CARICOM Chair made it clear that persons facing criminal charges, and persons who were indicted or convicted of a criminal offence, are excluded from the council.

Persons who have hopes of running for political office will also not form part of the council.

Meanwhile, the outgoing Haitian Prime Minister has confirmed his resignation on Social Media site X.

“The government that I am leading will resign immediately after the installation of a transitional council….I’m asking all Haitians to remain calm and do everything they can for peace and stability to come back as fast as possible.” Henry appealed.

The US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken was in Jamaica yesterday also to meet with the CARICOM leaders. He has pledged the US Government’s continued support for the stability of Haiti.

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