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Summary
- President Moïse was killed on July 7 and his wife was injured in the attack
- Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a pastor, has been arrested as the alleged conspirator
- Sanon has denied any wrongdoing
Who was President Jovenel Moïse?
The President of Haiti since 2017, Moïse had won the election held in November 2016. He undertook organic banana production during his youth. In 2015, he was endorsed as the presidential candidate by the then President Michel Martelly.
In his campaign, Moïse supported universal healthcare and education, called for establishment of rule of law and advocated for environmental protection.
The assassination
President Moïse was killed on July 7 at 01:00 local time. The assassination was carried out in president’s private residence. Moïse was shot at multiple times, and his wife, Martine Moïse, also suffered injuries but survived the attack.
Jovenel Moïse was found dead at the scene, and Martine Moïse was rushed to Florida for immediate medical aid. The private residence is located in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
What does the investigating agency say?
Investigators say that over 20 mercenaries entered the residence of the president under the guise of US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The entry was forceful and the president’s staff was overpowered.
The investigating agency maintains that the intruders were Colombians and US-Haitian citizens, and many of these men were trained soldiers. Following the assassination, the police have gunned down a number of alleged attackers and perpetrators.
Who is the suspected key conspirator?
The police say Christian Emmanuel Sanon, a Christian pastor, was behind the attack. Police Director General Leon Charles has said the pastor had the intention to topple Moïse and assume the president’s office.
Sanon is said to have orchestrated the attack from a Port-au-Prince complex, from where the police discovered ammunitions in a raid. 63-year old Sanon has been arrested, and according to the police, a cap with ‘DEA’ inscribed was seized from the complex.
Sanon has claimed innocence and said the property where was arrested from was not owned by him. He has denied any knowledge about the rifles and pistols discovered during the raid.
Who has assumed charge after assassination?
Two contenders are claiming to be in-charge after the death of President Moïse.
The first is Claude Joseph, who is the interim prime minister of Haiti, and the second is Ariel Henry, who has yet to be sworn in as the new prime minister. Separately, some political parties have signed a resolution that endorses Joseph Lambert as the incoming president. In the resolution, Ariel Henry has been endorsed as prime minister.
The constitution of the country gives power to the National Assembly for appointment of president.
Brief about Haiti
A Caribbean country, Haiti has a population of over 11 million.
Nearly 60 per cent of population is below the poverty line. The country has been caught in political turmoil since long. Elections were due in 2019, however President Moïse assumed power through a decree. Protests have since gripped the country.
UN peacekeeping force was present in the country between 2004 and 2017. The latest turn of events threatens to plunge Haiti deeper into political chaos.
