Jacob Davis
CSMS Magazine
On Thursday, Haiti witnessed the formal resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, coinciding with the swearing-in of a transitional government and the impending assumption of leadership by Michel Patrick Boisvert as the country’s interim prime minister. Tasked with confronting the pervasive gang-driven unrest plaguing Port-au-Prince, Boisvert will collaborate with a nine-member transitional presidential council.
Will Boisvert deliver? It’s hard to say, and his credibility will soon call into question, for he was an important functionary in the late president Jovenel Moise’s government. As a member of PHTK, the party founded by Michel Martelly is known for its brutal ways of dealing with the masses.
Boisvert’s professional trajectory reveals his prior roles within Haiti’s economic sphere. Previously serving as the minister of economy and finance since 2020, he held positions such as director of tax inspection from 2010 to 2018, subsequently ascending to the directorship of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. His academic credentials include a master’s degree in economic policy management from the University of Auvergne in France, complemented by studies at the University of Port-au-Prince and the State University of Haiti.
The timing of Henry’s resignation aligned with the establishment of a transitional government, as pledged in March. The formal inauguration of the presidential transition council took place this Thursday morning at the country’s national palace located in the heart of the city.
emphasized the necessity of involving armed groups in discussions about Haiti’s political trajectory. The protracted delay in installing the presidential transition council underscores the behind-the-scenes power struggles among diverse political factions.
The formation of the council represents a pivotal initial stride towards quelling the turmoil engulfing Haiti. This chaos, largely attributed to rival gangs vying for control, particularly in the capital, underscores the dire need for stable governance amidst the absence of effective state institutions.
Also, see: Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry compelled to resign
