The power struggle to be Haiti’s interim president since the assassination of President Moise has crippled the nation.
By Maryam Razzaq
Since the assassination of President Moise at his home last week, his widow has accused his enemies of organizing the assassination to deter a democratic change in the nation.
Martine Moise expanded on her statements on how her husband had been targeted for political reasons.
“You know who the President was fighting against. They sent mercenaries to kill the President at his home with members of his family because of roads, water, electricity, and referendum as well as elections at the end of the year so that there is no transition in the country. In the blink of an eye, the mercenaries entered my home and riddled my husband with bullets. This act has no name because you have to be a limitless criminal to assassinate a President like Jovenel Moise, without even giving him the chance to say a single word,” said Martine Moise on her official Twitter account through the release of a voice recording.
Haitian officials have confirmed that trained foreign assassins, 26 Colombians and 2 Haitian Americans comprised the group who assassinated the President of Haiti in cold blood in his own home.
Moise had often spoke about rival politicians and the anger that resulted from his ideas to propose a new referendum that would change Haiti’s constitution significantly. Scheduled for September 26, the new referendum would abolish the Prime Minister’s position, change the legislative branch and give more power to office of the President.
The Haitian government has requested troops from the United States and the United Nation. The United States have so far declined military assistance, and the request to the UN would need authorization from its security council before announcing a decision.
With the assassination of President Moise, the people of Haiti are without a President as the country remains in a state of siege. Multiple politicians are now trying to exert their dominance while claiming to be in control of the country and its military.
Ariel Henry, was appointed the Prime Minister designate by the late President Moise just before his assassination. “After the President’s assassination, I became the highest, legal and regular authority because there was a decree nominating me,” said Ariel Henry.
The self appointed interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph had claimed he would be leading the country after the assassination of the late President Moise. Mathias Pierre, Haiti’s election minister has inferred that Joseph should remain as Haiti’s interim Prime Minster until the September 26, 2021 general election.
Joseph Lambert, the leader of the Haitian Senate now becomes the third Haitian Politian demanding to be sworn in as interim President of Haiti.
US President Joe Biden has sent a team of US officials to Haiti at the request of its interim government for security and investigative assistance. US officials met with all three men claiming to be in control of the country. They will report back to President Biden on their findings and as such, the White House will consider their response to Haiti’s political crisis.
“We are engaged with the Haitian government to learn more about their needs, and we are sending a technical team today to that end. The President will receive a briefing from that team when they return and then make decisions about the way forward” said a US official.
For the moment, Haiti’s interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph has been identified by the Biden administration as the leader of Haiti. US officials with continue to work with Joseph and support Joseph’s ascension.
More updates will be continue to be shared.
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