Prime Minister Ariel Henry has sworn in his new cabinet, more than four months after he assumed leadership of Haiti following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.

The appointments on Wednesday come as Haiti struggles with a rise in violence, kidnappings and ongoing fuel shortages blamed on powerful gangs that have blocked gas distribution terminals.

“You accepted this under difficult conditions,” Henry told his new cabinet on Wednesday.

He appointed nine ministers to a variety of positions including foreign affairs, economy, justice, education and health.

Among those appointed is Jean Victor Jeneus, who will replace Claude Joseph as the minister of foreign affairs and worship. Joseph briefly served as acting prime minister after Moïse was killed at his private home in the pre-dawn hours of July 7.

Henry said his administration is doing the best it can to ensure public safety with the resources it has.

“We are doing the maximum with the funds that we have available to restore the authority of the state and put away the ones that need to be put away,” he said. “One of the main responsibilities of this government is to create a safe and stable environment.”

Henry condemned the ongoing violence and called on criminals to lay down their weapons, or otherwise “they will be neutralised and will end up in prison or they risk losing their lives”.

Haiti is struggling with a spike in gang-related kidnappings, including the October 16 abduction of 17 missionaries with ties to an Ohio-based religious organisation. Two of them were released on Sunday, although no further details were provided.

“As we rejoice about the two hostages who were released over the weekend, we continue to pray for the 15 who are still in captivity,” Christian Aid Ministries said in a statement on Wednesday.

Henry also talked about the fuel shortages and spiralling prices, saying the government has invested tens of thousands of dollars to subsidise gas but that it cannot sustain that situation much longer. He said he would address the issue in the near future.

In addition, Henry urged the new health minister to launch a campaign and encourage more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Source: Al Jazeera