Haitian Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe announced early Wednesday that he has resigned, as the country faces a spike in killings and kidnappings and prepares for an upcoming constitutional referendum and a general election later this year.
Jouthe, who served as prime minister since March 2020, did not provide an explanation for his resignation, but President Jovenel Moise said a new prime minister had been appointed.
“The resignation of the government, which I accepted, will make it possible to address the glaring problem of insecurity and continue discussions with a view to reaching the consensus necessary for the political and institutional stability of our country. Minister Claude Joseph has been appointed PM,” Moise tweeted in French.
Jouthe had previously tried to submit his resignation, but President Jovenel Moise had rejected it at the time.
Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has been plagued by poverty, insecurity, natural disaster and the coronavirus pandemic.
Meanwhile, kidnappings for ransom have surged as armed gangs have gained growing influence, with the Caribbean country facing an ongoing political crisis.
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