The Haitian Prime Minister justifies his stay in power in the face of the legal vacuum

The Haitian Prime Minister justified his stay in power on Monday, February 7, in the midst of a legal vacuum seven months after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, believing that the crisis in this poorest country in the Caribbean did not allow political distraction.

,” declared Ariel Henry.

, criticized the head of government, while calling for the dialogue.

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Since the beginning of the year, several opposition groups have organized meetings, in Haiti and in the United States, to appoint leaders for possible transitional regimes. This February 7 should have been a day of presidential handover, the Constitution retaining this date in memory of the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986. But since the attack that cost the life of Jovenel Moïse this summer, the class policy fails to find a consensus. The streets of the capital Port-au-Prince were deserted on Monday by its inhabitants who feared possible violent demonstrations. However, no major incident was reported in the city where several kidnappings and violent acts were committed by the gangs over the weekend.

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Since July, Ariel Henry had already suffered from a lack of legitimacy, having not been officially installed in his functions, because he was appointed by Jovenel Moïse just two days before his assassination.

Today, his opponents challenge his retention in office beyond February 7.

Ahead of the Prime Minister's address, the Senate Speaker said Ariel Henry only had authority until midnight, after which time he was to conduct only routine business.

But, faced with a divided opposition, and benefiting from the support of the international community, Ariel Henry renewed on Monday his plan to organize elections as soon as possible as well as a popular consultation for the adoption of a new constitution.