Haiti gang leader threatens ‘civil war’ if PM does not resign

Haiti gang leader threatens ‘civil war’ if PM does not resign

The leader of the gang responsible for the violence plaguing the Haitian capital has issued a warning, stating that a “civil war” will ensue if Prime Minister Ariel Henry does not resign.

Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier delivered the ultimatum as his gang members attempted to seize control of the capital’s airport to prevent Mr. Henry’s return from abroad. Unrest has also erupted in other cities, with reports of a prison riot in Jacmel, leading to the displacement of thousands of people.

Barbecue, who heads the influential G9 gang alliance, declared on Tuesday that “if Ariel Henry does not step down … we will be on the brink of a civil war that could result in genocide.”

The G9 alliance has been responsible for a surge in violence, including assaults on police stations and the infiltration of the country’s main prisons, resulting in a massive jailbreak on Saturday.

Haiti has long struggled with gang violence, but tensions escalated while Prime Minister Henry was on a visit to Kenya last week. During his absence, Barbecue intensified the violence, fearing that Henry would utilize foreign forces to maintain his grip on power.

Since assuming office shortly after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, Henry has faced opposition from Barbecue, who argues that his rule lacks legitimacy. Critics also highlight Henry’s failure to organize presidential elections, despite his initial promises, during his two and a half years in power.

Prime Minister Henry has remained silent amid the recent violence, only endorsing a state of emergency decree issued by one of his ministers during his absence.
Mr Henry’s whereabouts were unknown for days until late on Tuesday, when he flew from New Jersey to the US territory of Puerto Rico.

Reports said he had planned to land in the capital of Port-au-Prince, but the airport remained closed due to the fighting nearby.

The director of the civil aviation authority in neighbouring Dominican Republic said he had denied Mr Henry’s plane permission to land in the country because it lacked a flight plan.

Haitian media report that Mr Henry is now seeking alternative routes back into the country.

It is not clear what gang leader Barbecue’s longer term aims are. On Tuesday he urged Haitians “to unite”.

“Either Haiti becomes a paradise for all of us, or a hell for all of us,” he told journalists, wearing a bullet-proof vest.

In the past he has suggested created a “council of elders”, a group of civil society representatives from different regions, to replace the prime minister.

Haiti has no elected government officials. No elections have been held since 2016 in the country.

The vacuum created by the lack of elected officials has been filled by gangs, who are estimated to control around 80% of the capital.

Kidnappings for ransom are common and many schools and hospitals have had to close due to the lack of security.

Medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said it had to temporarily suspend its mobile clinics in several sites.

“We fear we will run out of medicines and medical supplies, which are absolutely essential to meet the enormous needs we are facing at the moment,” MSF head of mission Mumuza Muhindo Musubaho said.

Violence has so far been mainly concentrated in the capital and its environs. But there have also been reports of shootings in the town of Jeremie, in the south west, and of a prison riot in Jacmel in the south.

The United Nations Security Council said it would hold an emergency meeting later on Wednesday to discuss the violence.

According to the United Nations, some 15,000 people have been displaced by the conflict.