Haiti’s Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, has officially announced his resignation, succumbing to weeks of escalating pressure and surging violence in the impoverished nation.

This decision follows a meeting of regional leaders in Jamaica on Monday, aiming to address the pressing need for a political transition in Haiti.

Henry currently finds himself stranded in Puerto Rico after armed gangs prevented his return home. In a video address confirming his resignation, he urged the Haitian people to remain calm during this tumultuous period.

“The government that I am leading will resign immediately after the installation of [a transition] council. I want to thank the Haitian people for the opportunity I had been granted. I’m asking all Haitians to remain calm and do everything they can for peace and stability to come back as fast as possible,” stated Henry.

Having assumed interim leadership since July 2021 following the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse, Mr. Henry faced criticism for repeatedly postponing elections, citing the need for restored security. The prolonged interim governance without an elected president led to skepticism among the Haitian population.

In recent times, heavily armed gangs tightened their grip on Port-au-Prince, the capital, attacking the main prison, releasing thousands of inmates, and demanding Mr. Henry’s resignation. The region is under a month-long state of emergency with an extended curfew.

Matthias Pierre, a former elections minister in Haiti, described the country’s current state as “very precarious,” emphasizing weakened law enforcement, destroyed police stations, and gang occupation of key areas. He warned of imminent shortages of essential supplies, posing a severe threat to the population.

The resignation follows Mr. Henry’s visit to Kenya to sign a deal for the deployment of an international security force to combat violence. However, upon his return, a coalition of gangs attacked police stations and stormed prisons, impeding his homecoming.

The Caricom group of Caribbean nations, along with regional leaders, expressed a clear stance that Mr. Henry’s continued leadership obstructed Haiti’s stability. The United States initially sought his return for overseeing the transitional process but altered its position due to intensifying fighting.

Henry’s resignation opens the path for a transitional council, facilitated by the Caricom group. The council will comprise seven voting members, including representatives from various sectors, tasked with appointing an interim prime minister swiftly. This initiative aims to pave the way for Haiti’s first elections since 2016, fostering political stability amidst ongoing challenges.

The international community, including the United States, has pledged financial support, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken committing an additional $100 million to the UN-backed security force in Haiti. However, Kenya has put its deployment of police to Haiti on hold following Henry’s resignation, awaiting the installation of a new constitutional authority.

Haiti, grappling with chronic instability, dictatorships, and natural disasters, faces a pivotal moment as it seeks a path towards recovery and a democratic future.