Thursday, 19th September 2024

Haiti protesters demand president Moise’s resignation

Monday, 11th February 2019

Hundreds of protesters turned out in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Sunday (Feb 10) for the fourth day of demonstrations demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise.

The protest came as The Core Group - composed of a senior UN official, the ambassadors of France, Germany, Brazil, Canada, and the United States, and representatives of Spain, the EU and the Organization of American States - called on Haiti's politicians to enter dialogue over the crisis, lamenting the loss of life and damage caused by the protests.

A 14-year-old boy was killed and another young man was shot and wounded on the sidelines of a spontaneous protest in central Port Au Prince on Saturday.

Police said at least two people were killed Thursday as thousands across the country protested following a call to action from opposition groups.

Many Haitians accuse Moise and other officials of corruption. Thousands have taken to the streets this week.

The unrest has forced mayors in several cities to cancel carnival festivities due in early March.

Moise - who has been in power since 2017 - has called for talks with the opposition, to no avail so far.

Opposition groups called for protests after a court report alleged that officials and former ministers had misappropriated development loans made by Venezuela to Haiti after 2008.

The report also suggested that President Moise had been involved in irregularities.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Caribbean and 60% of the population live on less than $2 (£1.53) a day.