On 14 April 2021, President Jovenel Moïse announced the resignation of Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe in response to Haiti’s deteriorating security environment. Moïse stated that the appointment of the new prime minister, current Minister of Foreign Affairs Claude Joseph, will allow the government to better address Haiti’s high crime rates and political instability. Joseph is the sixth prime minister to be appointed by Moïse during his four years as president. Although the constitution dictates that a new prime minister must be confirmed by parliament, Moïse has ruled by decree after the legislative branch was suspended in 2020.

Analyst Comment: President Jovenel Moïse has previously timed appointments of new prime ministers to placate critics of his government’s policies and to distract from other perceived failures.