In an address to the nation, Haiti’s interim prime minister showed no signs of stepping down from power Monday, hitting back at those seeking to replace him and inviting other Haitians of “good will” to join him as he seeks to return Haiti to democratic rule by organizing elections and reforming the constitution this year.
“No one has the authority or the right to meet at a hotel or abroad to decide in a small committee who is to be president or prime minister,” Ariel Henry said in reference to a coalition of grassroots and civil society organizations that have assembled under a power-sharing proposal known as the Montana/PEN Accord. “It’s all a distraction.”
The group recently announced the selection of a former lawmaker and presidential candidate, Steven Benoit, and economist Fritz Alphonse Jean to help lead a two-year transition in Haiti. Benoit would be prime minister and Jean would join four others on a presidential college that would be overseen by a larger group of individuals.
