A Case for Resignation

Summary:

The petition below makes a strong case for the resignation of Haiti's Prime Minister, Dr. Ariel Henry, citing the worsening situation in the country since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. The author highlights the political deadlock, economic decline, and escalating gang violence under Henry's leadership. The UN Security Council has renewed sanctions on Haiti, urging political actors to engage in constructive negotiations for inclusive and fair elections. The author provides a detailed account of Henry's broken promises, governance failures, and strategic appointments. The call for resignation is based on the belief that Henry is the problem and cannot effectively solve Haiti's crisis. The text proposes criteria for a prospective prime minister, emphasizing independence, technical expertise, communication skills, and the ability to work with diverse political factions and the international community. The resignation is seen as a step toward restoring stability, organizing transparent elections, and rebuilding state institutions.

Preamble

“A democratic state begins from the assumption that most of those who gravitate toward power are mediocre and probably immoral. It assumes that we must always protect ourselves from bad government. We must be prepared for the worst leaders even as we hope for the best. And as Karl Popper wrote, this understanding leads to a new approach to power, for it forces us to replace the question: Who shall rule? By the new question: How can we so organize political institutions that bad or incompetent rulers can be prevented from doing too much damage?” — Chris Hedges

Twenty six months (26) since the July 7, 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse,  the situation in Haiti continues to worsen.

From the latest Human Rights Watch Report dated 8/14/2023:

“The dire security situation is exacerbated by intense political deadlock, a dysfunctional judicial system, and long-running impunity for human rights abuses. Prime Minister Ariel Henry has controlled all executive and parliamentary functions since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, and he has not reached a consensus with Haitian political actors to enable a democratic transition.” 

On October 19, 2023, the United Nations Security Council unanimously voted Resolution 2700 which authorizes the renewal for one year of the sanctions regime on Haiti. The resolution also calls for a broad political settlement among all Haitian stakeholders.                                                     

“Reaffirming the need for all Haitian stakeholders to continue, particularly with the support of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), to facilitate a political process led and controlled by Haitians which allows the organization of presidential and free and fair legislative elections, through a credible process and with the full, equal and genuine, safe participation of women and the participation of youth, civil society and other relevant stakeholders, through a national dialogue involving all Haitian parties, and emphasizing that all Haitian stakeholders should urgently agree on a road map for the elections that is sustainable…”.  

A further recommendation: “The Security Council urges all political actors to engage in real constructive negotiations to break the current political impasse so that inclusive, free and fair legislative and presidential elections can be held, as soon as security conditions permit”.

Haiti’s Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry has had more than two years to conduct negotiations leading to a wider and more inclusive political accord; he has not done so.  The following is a tableau of how these precious 26 months of Haiti’s life were misused.

 

Context:                                                                                                             July 20, 2021, the CORE GROUP chooses Dr. Ariel Henry as Haiti’s Prime Minister. Mr. Henry was nominated by President Jovenel Moise two days before his assassination. He was not, however, sworn in as required by Haiti’s constitution.

Article 149 of the constitution stipulates: “In the event of a vacancy in the Presidency of the Republic either by resignation, dismissal or in the event of duly noted permanent physical or mental incapacity, the Council of Ministers, under the Presidency of the Prime Minister, exercises Executive Power until to the election of another President. 

In this case, the ballot for the election of the new President of the Republic for the remaining time shall take place at least sixty (60) days and at most one hundred and twenty (120) days after the opening of the vacancy, in accordance with to the Constitution and the electoral law. In the event that the vacancy occurs from the fourth year of the presidential mandate, the National Assembly meets automatically within sixty (60) days following the vacancy to elect a new Provisional President of the Republic for the period which remains to run. »

There was no National Assembly at the time of President Jovenel Moise’s murder. Thus, Dr. Henry’s term had ended on November 17, 2021.

A Report Card

In terms of governance, the country is neither governed nor managed by the central administration as the entity responsible for protecting of “life and property” of the population. Today, the absence of all state institutions further increases insecurity in the country.

The Economy: The situation of the Haitian economy continues to worsen. All indicators are red.

Inflation: 2021 = 16.84%

                 2023 = 49.3%

Due to the high cost of imported commodities and fuel, import bills continue to increase trade balance deficits, further leading to depreciation of the national currency.

According to World Bank forecasts, once again, a contraction of around 3.6 percent of Haiti's GDP is expected in 2023, a trend that has been established since 2018 and which can be explained, to a large extent, by the socio-political instability which hinders all productive investment in the country.

Gang Violence:

Decades of instability, disasters and economic woes have left Haiti one of the poorest and most-violent countries in the world. Gang violence has soared since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, which led to much of the country's territory falling out of government control.

Turf wars have since driven a surge in refugees, severe food shortages, murders, kidnappings and sexual violence. UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said on Friday that at least 2,439 Haitians had been killed, 902 injured and 951 kidnapped this year. (Source: BBC News)

The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) published on August 31, 2023 its latest quarterly report on the human rights situation in Haiti. During the second quarter of 2023 (April – June), BINUH documented more than 1,860 victims of killings, injuries and kidnappings across the country. An increase of almost 14% in the number of victims compared to the previous quarter (January – March 2023).  “Episodes of violence are likely to be of higher intensity than those observed in the second half of 2022 (July to November), particularly in areas contested by gangs, such as Bas Artibonite, Cité Soleil, Bel- Air, Martissant, Delmas, Croix des Bouquets, Pétion-Ville and its surroundings, Cap-Haïtien and certain municipalities in the North-West region.” (Source: FewsNet)

No reaction from Dr. Ariel Henry. Not even a Tweet (or X), which he does regularly when news is happening elsewhere.

The Government.- No commitment on the part of Dr. Ariel towards the Haitians to whom he owes respect, protection and assurance of well-being. At this critical crossroads, the population continues to flee to other neighborhoods not yet occupied by gangs or to foreign lands such as Chile, Mexico and the United States, the latter, through President Joe Biden's humanitarian program. They abandon furniture and buildings. All.

For 26 months, not one program has been implemented in favor of the Haitian people. In contrast, the population has been hit with two increases in the prices of petroleum products. None of the essential needs of the population has been met:  

No water  No electricity No garbage pick-up No waster management  No security No repairs of the roads -let alone construction of new ones-

On the other hand, Dr. Ariel Henry made illegal, unconstitutional, yet strategic nominations in favor of his government. Among the best known:

• Appointment of a new Governor of BRH, Haiti’s Central Bank.
• Appointment of a new council at BNC (National Bank of Credit).
• Appointment of the President of the Court of Cassation, Haiti’s highest court.
• Appointment of several ambassadors (including a new ambassador to Washington)

 (These nominations are all prerogatives of the country’s president)

Corruption

A total of four (4) ministers of the Ariel government have been sanctioned for corruption by Canada and the United States. A former Haitian ambassador to Washington was sanctioned as well.

The accords signed but not honored by Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry:  

The September 13, 2021  Agreement:

The Secteur Démocratique and Populaire (SDP), the Fusion, INITE, INIFOS, MTVAyti, Ansanm Nou Fò,  Force Reformiste Louverturienne, PHTK are, among others, the political organizations which signed, on Saturday September 11, 2021, a political agreement for a “peaceful and effective governance” with the head of government Ariel Henry. In the official residence of the Prime Minister, these leaders of the opposition to President Jovenel Moïse promise that the country will now take the rails of stability and development.

The December 21, 2022 Agreement:                                                                At the Karibe Hotel, Prime Minister a.i. Ariel Henry signed a new political agreement titled “National Consensus for an Inclusive Transition and Transparent Elections” with representatives of political parties, civil society organizations and members of the sector private.

The signatories of this agreement agree that "the transition period of 14 months will include the new general elections to be held in 2023, the entry into office of a newly elected government on February 7, 2024 and the first year of the mandate of this first post-reform government ».

This agreement provides, among other things, for the establishment of a High Transition Council (HCT) and a Government Action Control Body (OCAG) which will be added to the government and will allow, according to the terms of the agreement “a political balance” (Source: Haiti Libre)

Both of these accords were never implemented by Dr. Ariel Henry.

Dr Ariel Henry’s broken promises:                                                                 1-One of the very first promises of the Prime Minister published on his Twitter account on July 29, 2021 is “...The authorities intend to restore, without delay, the free movement of people and create an environment conducive to elections. » Then at the time, “The restoration of democratic order and political stability conducive to the holding of free, honest and transparent elections were on the agenda of the discussions.

2-“We will also restore confidence in the public administration, in justice and among all of us Haitians,” the head of government tweeted on July 30, 2021.

3-After an interview on August 3, 2021 with Bruno Lemarquis, deputy special representative at the United Nations Office in Haiti (BINUH), Dr. Henry tweeted “... elections, security and the cost of living. These are my government's priorities during the interim period. »

4- “I am currently in the deep South. A government team is on the ground to coordinate actions and be closer to the affected population. I will ensure the right strategy for caring for earthquake victims, coordination and the effectiveness of aid. I invite the population to show great solidarity in these times of trial,” says Ariel Henry, August 15, 2021.

5- On August 18, 2021, the PM declared on Twitter: “I would like to reaffirm the firm determination and commitment of my government to find a political agreement between all actors in national life for the sustainable development of the country.”

September 6-11, 2021 on Twitter: “The real culprits, the intellectual authors and the sponsors of the heinous assassination of President Jovenel Moïse will be identified, brought to justice and punished for their crime.”

7- Still in 2021, precisely on October 4, the head of the Prime Minister wrote on his Twitter account: “The judiciary faces numerous difficulties which weaken it and further reduce its confidence rating among litigants every day. We have an obligation to do everything possible to return to the normal functioning of our democratic institutions.”

8- In another register, the Prime Minister indicated on October 12, 2021 that “The Political Agreement (agreement of September 11, 2021) includes two main objectives: the new Constitution, a project of the late President Jovenel Moïse, and the holding of general elections in the second half of 2022." "Starting tomorrow, I will get back to work to implement the procedures provided for in the Agreement. I want to reassure the sectors which, because of insecurity, hesitated to engage in the establishment of the CEP, the National Constituent Assembly, and the Control and Monitoring Authority, and tell them that We are working to resolve this issue. We must now start preparing for the deadlines,” Mr. Henry clarified in another tweet on November 24, 2021.

9- On January 20, 2022, the head of the Prime Minister declared: “I am currently chairing a meeting of the Superior Council of the National Police (#CSPN) around the thorny issue of insecurity, the main source of concern for my government. I am committed, together with the authorities concerned, to finding, as soon as possible, a lasting and effective solution to this scourge which is blighting the    country.”

10-“My government is, more than ever, determined to complete the investigation into the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. The perpetrators and sponsors of this heinous crime must be prosecuted and punished,” said the head of the CSPN on January 21, 2022. And added: “In the coming days, the transition bodies will be formally constituted. These are the Authority for Control and Monitoring of Government Action, the Provisional Electoral Council and the National Constituent Assembly.”

11-"I am saying to all those who are tempted to use gangs, terrorists, and armed bandits to gain power, we will treat them as terrorists and armed bandits. They can wait for us to reach them too, because we are starting to identify them just as the international community is also identifying them," wrote Dr. Henry, on February 7, 2022 on his Twitter account.

12- February 11, 2022. “I guarantee that the section of the Martissant road leading to the great South will be cleared and control will be taken over by the #PNH which, despite its limited means, can rejoice in convincing results in the fight against insecurity and banditry. We are beginning to identify those who fuel and finance the gangs. The situation in our country must change. Every citizen must be able to live and move freely in their country,” Ariel Henry promised.

This same February 11, 2022, he resumed the promises consisting of shedding light on the assassination of the one who had entrusted him with the reins of the Prime Minister. “To do justice to President Jovenel Moïse, we will favor mutual legal assistance, not to impose any procedure on us, but to assist us in moving the procedure forward with much more clarity and transparency,” he said. he engaged.

13- On April 14, 2022 he affirmed: “The main mission of my government is to hand over power, as soon as possible, to elected officials chosen by the majority of the Haitian people, within the framework of free, impartial and democratic elections.”

14- “My government is committed to fighting corruption, in all its forms, by adopting appropriate measures, while strengthening the legal framework of control institutions and the capacities of the #PNH, as part of the fight against corruption. “insecurity”, statement made on May 3, 2022 by Ariel Henry on Twitter.

15- On August 21, 2022, the Prime Minister declared: “I am revolted by the news of the assassination of several compatriots by armed bandits operating in Tabarre. The Government strongly condemns this heinous crime, while extending its sympathy to the relatives and friends of the victims. On behalf of the government, I renew my firm determination to relentlessly combat insecurity. I instruct the police to continue beating the bandits with a view to putting them out of harm's way.”

16- Finally on December 15, 2022, “I reiterate our commitment and our determination to combat banditry in all its forms, with a view to allowing the population to freely go about their business and for students to be able to return to school.”, said Dr. Ariel Henry.

17- January 1, 2023- “A provisional electoral council will be set up. Its task will be to plan and propose to the government a reasonable timetable for the organization of the next popular consultations,” announced the head of government on January 1, 2023.

18- On April 10, 2023, “We renew to the Haitian people our unwavering determination to do everything in order to achieve the creation of a climate of #security and stability in the country, too bruised and bereaved,” affirms Dr. Henry. (Source: Le Nouvelliste)

19- To mark his two years in power, the Prime Minister tweeted on July 19, 2023 on his way back to Haiti from the EU-Colac summit in Brussels: "We have taken a big step in the right direction. In the United Nations Council, all countries around the world, without missing a word, voted to have a multinational force disembarked to support our police, to put an end to bandits, so that everyone can move freely day and night”.

20- June 15, 2023- Caricom | Ariel Henry promises to expand HCT “from scratch”, according to Caricom Group of Eminent Persons Meeting Declaration.

Dr Ariel Henry, committed to greater inclusiveness in governance through the establishment of a government of national unity, beginning with working with the partners of the December 21 Accord to increase the number of members of the High Transition Council (HCT) in order to include representatives of a wider group of stakeholders.

5 October, 2023 – Dr. Henry cancels at the last minute his participation at a virtual meeting organized by the Caricom Eminent Persons. This annulment by Dr. Henry followed a pattern of not honoring his agreement several times with members of the opposition.

Resignation

“Asking bad government to fix government is like asking cancer to cure cancer”.                                                  

It is unequivocally clear that Dr. Henry is the problem and, consequently, cannot be asked to solve the problem he personifies.

We further believe no meaningful negotiations can take place as long as Dr Henry is the prime minister hosting it.

In light of this catastrophic governance of Dr. Ariel Henry -as clearly proven by the foregoing-, and driven by the determination of avoiding the total demise of Haiti, we, the undersigned, demand the immediate resignation of the actual prime minister of Haiti whose term had ended on November 17, 2021.

Adopting resolution 2699 (2023) by a recorded vote of 13 in favor with 2 abstentions (China, Russian Federation), the UN Security Council, acting under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, authorized the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) to Haiti.

On the political front, it was underlined that “without a legitimate and effective government in place, any external support can hardly have any lasting effect. The Haitian authorities and all parties and factions should reach the broadest possible consensus on transitional arrangements as soon as possible and come up with a feasible and credible timetable.”    

 

The International community has conditioned the success of the MSS to finding a prompt resolution to the political crisis by the Haitian authorities, parties and factions.

The new prime minister will host the negotiations.

Profile of a Prospective Prime Minister

Below is a profile of the kind of qualifications the new Prime Minister should have:

An independent personality of Civil Society and technician enjoying of great notoriety and having the capacity to organize credible and transparent elections.

The new prime minister must be:                                                                                                                           

A.- a non-politically active individual

B.- an experienced technician in state affairs

C.- able to communicate with the population as well as able to relate to all segments of the population

D.- having the experience and capacity to work and interact with the international community

E.- willing to work with all the political factions in Haiti.

The Government of Consensus will be entrusted to restore the State's rights all throughout the country. It must restore the sovereign institutions and ensure the renewal of the administration.

After hosting the negotiations, the new Prime Minister will have the task of forming a non-political interim government to organize the next elections and rebuild the state institutions.

###

Organizational Sign On- 

https://forms.gle/YqsgegbenfRycXJz7 

To learn more about the petition and the next steps join us via Zoom 

Time: Oct 26, 2023 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Email: thehaitianglobalcommunity@gmail.com for login details.