On Sunday, July 7, 2024, Haiti’s transitional council marked the third anniversary of the tragic assassination of President Jovenel Moise. K
To commemorate the occasion, Prime Minister Garry Conille and nine council members attended a Mass celebration. The ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the brutal attack that claimed the life of President Moise on July 7, 2021.
On that fateful day, a group of gunmen stormed the president’s residence in Port-au-Prince, shooting him 12 times and leaving him dead. His wife, Martine Moise, was also shot during the attack but survived her injuries.
The assassination sent shockwaves throughout Haiti and the international community, prompting a thorough investigation into the circumstances of the president’s death.
Thus far, several individuals have been arrested in connection with the assassination, including 11 men currently in U.S. custody. Prosecutors in the United States allege that a far-reaching conspiracy involving individuals in both Haiti and Florida aimed to hire mercenaries to remove President Moise from power. The alleged motivation behind this plot was to secure lucrative contracts from a subsequent administration. The investigation has also led to the arrest of 18 former Colombian soldiers, who are currently being held in Haiti.
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Edgard Leblanc Fils, the President of the Transitional Council, acknowledged that Haiti’s vulnerability increased significantly following President Moise’s death. He reaffirmed the council’s commitment to continuing investigations until all those involved in the assassination are brought to justice.
The aftermath of President Moise’s assassination has seen a dramatic surge in gang violence across Haiti. This escalation prompted then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry to request the deployment of an armed force to combat the growing threat.
In response, the first U.N.-backed contingent of foreign police arrived in Haiti in late June 2024, nearly two years after the initial request for assistance. The situation remains dire, with gangs controlling approximately 80% of the capital, displacing thousands of people, including an estimated 300,000 children, according to UNICEF.
As Haiti continues to grapple with the ongoing fallout from President Moise’s assassination, the nation remains committed to seeking justice and rebuilding its fragile security landscape. The third anniversary of his death serves as a somber reminder of the challenges that lie ahead and the importance of continued international support in addressing the country’s complex political and security issues.
