Claude Joseph, interim Prime Minister of Haiti, has announced that he would cede power to
Ariel Henry. Joseph has been leading the country since Jovenel Moise was assassinated on July 7. Henry, the 71-year-old neurosurgeon was appointed prime minister by Moise, two days before he died. He had yet to be sworn in. Joseph decided to step down after the international community expressed support towards Henry.
Joseph told the Washington Post that he is “just interested in seeing justice for the president.” And said that, “Everyone who knows me knows that I am not interested in this battle, or in any kind of power grab.”
Joseph agreed to step down on Sunday and said that he is willing to transfer power “as quickly as possible”.
Haiti has been in a state of lurch since Moise’s assassination. Interim PM Joseph, on July 10 asked the US to send troops to help protect key infrastructure as the government tries to stabilise the country. On July 12, Haitian police arrested Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a 63-year-old Haitian-American, who is believed to be the mastermind behind the assassination. About 18 other suspects believed to be involved in Moise’s killing have been arrested. Among them are retired Colombian military personnel. The FBI is assisting the Haitian police in the investigation of Moise’s assassination. Moise will be laid to rest on Friday.
The Core Group in Haiti, which comprises of ambassadors from Germany, Brazil, Canada, Spain, the US, France, the European Union and special representatives from the United Nations and the Organization of American States, in a statement, said, “To this end, we strongly encourage the designated Prime Minister Ariel Henry to continue the mission entrusted to him to form such a government.”
The group also called for “free, fair, transparent and credible legislative and presidential elections as quickly as possible”. Joseph will continue to hold the position of foreign affairs minister.
"My fellow Haitians in Haiti and the diaspora, it is an honour for me to address you as your prime minister. I am calling for all of us to unite and to work together to stop the nation from descending into the abyss," Henry said, CNN reported. “I can assure you that in a very short period of time I will unveil a new coalition government. This government will lead the country for a short period of time until we can hold better elections,” he added.
Henry has served as an aide to Haiti’s health minister for five years. He has also served as interior minister and labour minister. Henry does not belong to the same political party as Moise—Tet Kale.
He is a member of Inite, a centre-left and social-democratic party.
