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Demonstrators take part in a protest calling for the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry outside the Canadian Embassy, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti February 25 2024.
Leaders from the Caribbean trade bloc CARICOM said late Wednesday that Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has agreed to hold elections by mid-2025. Haiti needs them desperately – the terms of all elected officials are expired – but with the capital overrun by gangs that outnumber and outgun the government, how can Henry pull it off?
He’s already blown through one deadline to hand over power this year, on Feb. 7. As that day came and went, he said he would leave power when the security situation improves – so don’t hold your breath.
If the gangs weren’t piling on enough pressure, Guy Philippe – who was behind the 2004 coup – is attempting to build a revolutionary movement.
Is help on the way? Hard to say. Kenya is meant to lead a UN-backed force to intervene, but the Kenyan Supreme Court declared the deployment unconstitutional. Nairobi is appealing the ruling, and in the meantime, Benin pledged to send troops under Kenyan leadership, as have several Caribbean countries.
The US reiterated Monday that it is willing to provide financial and logistical support to the deployment, but don’t expect boots on the ground. Haiti’s traumatic experiences with foreign interventions means the New World’s major military powers aren’t eager or welcome to return.