Haiti: President Jovenel Moïse assassinated in the night in his private residence

Published on : 07/07/2021 – 11:52Modified : 07/07/2021 – 12:25

The outgoing Prime Minister of Haiti, Claude Joseph, announced on Wednesday July 7 that President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday.

“At around one in the morning, on the night of Tuesday July 6 to Wednesday July 7, 2021, a group of unidentified individuals, some of whom spoke in Spanish, attacked the private residence of the President of the Republic and thus fatally injured the head of the state, “the head of government announced in a statement. “Condemning this odious, inhuman and barbaric act”, the Prime Minister calls “the population to calm” and assures that “the security situation of the country” is “under control”.

Haitian President Jovenel Moïse appointed Ariel Henry, a doctor, as Prime Minister on Monday. The previous head of government did not even last three months in this post.

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. President Jovenel Moïse, accused of inaction in the face of the crisis, was faced with strong mistrust from a large part of the civilian population.

More details to come.

With AFP