Henri Namphy

Namphy, Henri (1933– ), military ruler of Haiti 1986–88. After Jean Claude Duvalier stepped down as ruler of Haiti, a military-civilian council took power, with Lt. Gen. Namphy, then armed forces chief of staff, as its head. Namphy repeatedly promised free elections and the protection of civil rights. Amidst widespread violence and general strikes, repressive measures continued and the elections did not take place until Jan. 1988. The newly elected president, Leslie Mandigat, was ousted by Namphy in June, but Namphy was arrested and exiled in Sept. 1988.