(17 Sep 2018) STORYLINE
Haitian Prime Minister Jack Guy Lafontant has resigned amid criticism for his failed attempt to increase fuel prices.
Lafontant told Haiti's Chamber of Deputies on July 14th that he sent President Jovenel Moise his resignation letter and the president had accepted it.
The prime minister's abrupt resignation came ahead of a vote on a motion of censure Lafontant, a first step toward asking that Moise name a new prime minister to form a Cabinet to handle the crisis.
The prime minister is the second highest official in Haiti after the president.
Lafontant was to answer questions about the July 6th-8th riots that followed the government's attempt to raise fuel prices by up to 51 percent as part of an agreement with the International Monetary Fund.
Dozens of businesses were looted during the deadly unrest.
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Haiti's president has appointed former presidential candidate Jean Henry-Céant as the new prime minister.
During a ceremony on August 7th in the capital, President President Jovenel Moïse said it was time "to operate a major change of government in order to alleviate the misery of the population".
If confirmed by Congress, Henry-Céant will replace Jack Guy Lafontant who resigned in July over his handling of a failed plan to raise the prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene by 38 percent to 51 percent.
At least seven people were killed, and dozens of businesses were looted during riots after the government announced the price hike.
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Haiti's new Prime Minister Jean-Henry Ceant pledged on September 17th, upon taking office, to deepen the investigations into the alleged diversion of funds from the Petrocaribe program after hundreds of people have protested.
During a swearing in ceremony in Haiti's capital, Ceant said he accepted this position with humility and great determination.
Ceant assumes his post amid a political crisis that led to the resignation of his predecessor Jack Guy Lafontant over his handling of a failed plan to raise the prices of gasoline, diesel and kerosene.
At least seven people were killed, and dozens of businesses were looted during riots after the government announced the price hike.
During the inauguration, President Jovenel Moise said he chose Ceant for his "love of Haiti".
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