Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated early this Wednesday morning at his home by a commando group of foreign elements, announced outgoing Prime Minister Claude Joseph. The president’s wife was injured in the attack and hospitalized, said Claude Joseph. He called on the population for calm and indicated that the police and the army would ensure the maintenance of order.
“The president was assassinated in his home by foreigners who spoke English and Spanish. They attacked the residence of the President of the Republic, ”declared Claude Joseph. “The security situation is under control,” he said. Coming from the business world, Jovenel Moïse, 53, was elected president in 2016 and took office on February 7, 2017.
The president was accused of inaction in the face of the crisis
Haiti, a Caribbean country and the poorest nation on the American continent, is plagued by insecurity, particularly kidnappings for ransom carried out by gangs enjoying virtual impunity. A situation which was worth to Jovenel Moïse, accused of inaction in the face of the crisis, to be confronted with a strong mistrust of a good part of the civil society.
In this context, raising fears of a shift towards generalized anarchy, the UN Security Council, the United States and Europe called for the holding of free and transparent legislative and presidential elections by the end of 2021. Jovenel Moïse announced Monday the appointment of a new Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, with precisely the mission of holding elections.