Haitian opposition leaders led a large and mostly peaceful march in the capital on Friday as they called for the resignation of President Jovenel Moise, whom they blame for a deep economic and political crisis in the troubled Caribbean country.

Although some violence flared between protesters and police, the mood overall was calmer than in recent rallies, as the opposition appeared to heed calls from the United Nations and Canada to stage peaceful demonstrations.

At one point, protesters atop a truck blasting music used microphones to beseech others not to throw rocks at police and businesses.

Earlier in the day, clashes had broken out as helmeted police with shields used trucks, water cannons and tear gas to prevent protesters from marching on the headquarters of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-nuclear-watchdog-says-iran-taking-step-in-right-direction-253726">U.N.</a> peacekeeping and justice force near the Port-au-Prince airport.

Some protesters set tires aflame and hurled rocks, bottles and Molotov cocktails in the streets.

Many opposition leaders and disgruntled Haitians have called for Moise's ouster, blaming him for a failing to address problems widespread food and fuel shortages, a weakening currency, double-digit inflation and graft accusations made against public officials.

Andre Michel, a political opposition leader, told Reuters this week the demonstration was meant to send a "very strong message" that Moise needs to step down.

In a letter addressed to the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres dated Wednesday, opposition leaders urged the organization to disassociate from Moise, whose government they said helped commit a "massacre" in the poor La Saline neighbourhood in the capital.

Moise in late September removed several security officials following the incident.

"The country is on the brink of an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe," the letter stated, noting that shuttered businesses, banks, and schools have made Haiti "totally dysfunctional" and more than 100 demonstrators have been injured.

The country is still grappling with the fallout from past crises, including a 2010 earthquake that killed some 300,000 people.

Protests in the most impoverished country in the Americas last week were among the largest and most violent in months. During some of the unrest, specialized units of the U.N.-backed Haitian National Police were ransacked and looted and two police vehicles set on fire.

Anti-government demonstrations turned especially violent in February when the United Nations said 41 people were killed and another 100 injured. Police say at least five people have been killed in clashes in the past few weeks, but Moise has given no indication he intends to resign.

Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland this week condemned all violence in Haiti, and the U.N. reiterated earlier calls for calm.

Haitian opposition leaders led a large and mostly peaceful march in the capital on Friday as they called for the resignation of President Jovenel Moise, whom they blame for a deep economic and political crisis in the troubled Caribbean country.

Haitian opposition leaders led a large and mostly peaceful march in the capital on Friday as they called for the resignation of President Jovenel Moise, whom they blame for a deep economic and political crisis in the troubled Caribbean country. Although some violence flared between protesters and police, the mood overall was calmer than in recent rallies, as the opposition appeared to heed calls from the United Nations and Canada to stage peaceful demonstrations. At one point, protesters atop a truck blasting music used microphones to beseech others not to throw rocks at police and businesses. Earlier in the day, clashes had broken out as helmeted police with shields used trucks, water cannons and tear gas to prevent protesters from marching on the headquarters of the U.N. peacekeeping and justice force near the Port-au-Prince airport. Some protesters set tires aflame and hurled rocks, bottles and Molotov cocktails in the streets. Many opposition leaders and disgruntled Haitians have called for Moise's ouster, blaming him for a failing to address problems widespread food and fuel shortages, a weakening currency, double-digit inflation and graft accusations made against public officials. Andre Michel, a political opposition leader, told Reuters this week the demonstration was meant to send a "very strong message" that Moise needs to step down. In a letter addressed to the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres dated Wednesday, opposition leaders urged the organization to disassociate from Moise, whose government they said helped commit a "massacre" in the poor La Saline neighbourhood in the capital. Moise in late September removed several security officials following the incident. "The country is on the brink of an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe," the letter stated, noting that shuttered businesses, banks, and schools have made Haiti "totally dysfunctional" and more than 100 demonstrators have been injured. The country is still grappling with the fallout from past crises, including a 2010 earthquake that killed some 300,000 people. Protests in the most impoverished country in the Americas last week were among the largest and most violent in months. During some of the unrest, specialized units of the U.N.-backed Haitian National Police were ransacked and looted and two police vehicles set on fire. Anti-government demonstrations turned especially violent in February when the United Nations said 41 people were killed and another 100 injured. Police say at least five people have been killed in clashes in the past few weeks, but Moise has given no indication he intends to resign. Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland this week condemned all violence in Haiti, and the U.N. reiterated earlier calls for calm.

Haitian protesters clash with police in new push for president's ouster

Haitian President Jovenel Moise on Thursday broke his silence after a week of violent protests demanding his resignation that have left at least seven people dead.&nbsp;

"I will not leave the country in the hands of armed gangs and drug traffickers," he said in a pre-recorded address broadcast on state television, speaking in Creole in the aftermath of clashes between authorities and demonstrators in the capital Port-au-Prince.&nbsp;

The US State Department meanwhile announced it was recalling all "non-emergency personnel" from Haiti and warned Americans against travelling to the unrest-plagued nation.

"There are currently widespread, violent, and unpredictable demonstrations in Port-au-Prince and elsewhere in Haiti. Due to these demonstrations, on February 14, 2019, the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency US personnel and their family members," it said in a statement.

Demonstrators are demanding Moise quit over a scandal centring on the Petrocaribe fund, under which Venezuela supplied Haiti and the other Caribbean and Central American countries with oil at cut-rate prices and on easy credit terms for years.

A report released in January on the misuse of the money named a company that was then headed by Moise as a beneficiary of funds from a road construction project that never had a signed contract.&nbsp;

During his election campaign, Moise promised "food on every plate and money in every pocket," yet most Haitians still struggle to make ends meet and face inflation that has risen 15 per cent since his election.

Haitian President Jovenel Moise on Thursday broke his silence after a week of violent protests demanding his resignation that have left at least seven people dead.

Haitian President Jovenel Moise on Thursday broke his silence after a week of violent protests demanding his resignation that have left at least seven people dead. "I will not leave the country in the hands of armed gangs and drug traffickers," he said in a pre-recorded address broadcast on state television, speaking in Creole in the aftermath of clashes between authorities and demonstrators in the capital Port-au-Prince. The US State Department meanwhile announced it was recalling all "non-emergency personnel" from Haiti and warned Americans against travelling to the unrest-plagued nation. "There are currently widespread, violent, and unpredictable demonstrations in Port-au-Prince and elsewhere in Haiti. Due to these demonstrations, on February 14, 2019, the Department of State ordered the departure of all non-emergency US personnel and their family members," it said in a statement. Demonstrators are demanding Moise quit over a scandal centring on the Petrocaribe fund, under which Venezuela supplied Haiti and the other Caribbean and Central American countries with oil at cut-rate prices and on easy credit terms for years. A report released in January on the misuse of the money named a company that was then headed by Moise as a beneficiary of funds from a road construction project that never had a signed contract. During his election campaign, Moise promised "food on every plate and money in every pocket," yet most Haitians still struggle to make ends meet and face inflation that has risen 15 per cent since his election.

Haiti President Moise breaks silence after week of violent unrest

The political crisis gripping Haiti entered its seventh day on Wednesday amid violent protests by opposition groups demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise which have left at least nine people dead.

The demonstrators, mostly young men, returned to the streets of the capital Wednesday to call for the resignation of Moise, who remains silent and out of sight since his appeal for dialogue on February 9, as he faces increased pressure to step down from several sectors of the opposition.

At least one man was killed on Wednesday and several people, including a journalist from the daily Le Nouvelliste, were injured during violent clashes around the National Palace between protesters, who threw stones, and policemen, who responded with gunshots.

Firefighters and police were called when demonstrators in Delmas, just south of the capital, tried to set fire to the headquarters of the state radio channel.

Faced with the climate of uncertainty and insecurity across the nation, many embassies have suspended their consular services, while others were closed.

Prime Minister Jean Henry Ceant convened a council of ministers for Wednesday, while foreign minister Edmond Bocchid was in Washington to discuss the situation with National Security Advisor John Bolton.

Assad Volcy, one of the opposition leaders, told EFE that "there is no turning back. We have to solve the problem of inequality and hunger".

Senator Youri Latortue, a former ally of Jovenel Moise, called on the president to resign "to avoid chaos and more blood."

Most schools have been closed since the protests began on February 7, while public transport and local commerce have almost ground to a halt.

Many businesses and fuel stations have been looted, and public and private vehicles burned, as the security situation in the impoverished Caribbean nation threatens to spiral out of control.

The streets of the country's capital, Port-au-Prince are filled with garbage and barricades, some of them burning, making it impossible for traffic to pass.

Leaders of opposition parties and civil society groups have asked the demonstrators to intensify their actions until Moise resigns.

So far, the only pronouncement of the international community came this weekend through the Core Group, made up of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the ambassadors of Germany, Brazil, Canada, Spain, the United States, France, the European Union and the special representative of the OAS, who called for dialogue to seek a solution to the political and economic crisis.

The protests are taking place in the midst of a severe economic downturn, which was aggravated this year by a sharp depreciation of the gourde, Haiti's official currency, and an electricity supply crisis resulting from the shortage of gasoline.

Haiti's economy, where more than half of its 10 million inhabitants survive on less than $2 a day, grew by just 1.4 per cent in 2018, one of the lowest growth rates in the region and well below the 2.2 per cent forecast at the beginning of last year, which was later reduced to 1.8 percent.

Demonstrators also demand justice for alleged irregularities in the Petrocaribe program, through which Venezuela supplies oil to Haiti at favourable prices.

An audit presented last week by the Court of Auditors revealed irregularities between 2008 and 2016 in this programme and pointed to 15 former ministers and current officials who are involved in this case, as well as a company run by Moise before he became president

The political crisis gripping Haiti entered its seventh day on Wednesday amid violent protests by opposition groups demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise which have left at least nine people dead.

The political crisis gripping Haiti entered its seventh day on Wednesday amid violent protests by opposition groups demanding the resignation of President Jovenel Moise which have left at least nine people dead. The demonstrators, mostly young men, returned to the streets of the capital Wednesday to call for the resignation of Moise, who remains silent and out of sight since his appeal for dialogue on February 9, as he faces increased pressure to step down from several sectors of the opposition. At least one man was killed on Wednesday and several people, including a journalist from the daily Le Nouvelliste, were injured during violent clashes around the National Palace between protesters, who threw stones, and policemen, who responded with gunshots. Firefighters and police were called when demonstrators in Delmas, just south of the capital, tried to set fire to the headquarters of the state radio channel. Faced with the climate of uncertainty and insecurity across the nation, many embassies have suspended their consular services, while others were closed. Prime Minister Jean Henry Ceant convened a council of ministers for Wednesday, while foreign minister Edmond Bocchid was in Washington to discuss the situation with National Security Advisor John Bolton. Assad Volcy, one of the opposition leaders, told EFE that "there is no turning back. We have to solve the problem of inequality and hunger". Senator Youri Latortue, a former ally of Jovenel Moise, called on the president to resign "to avoid chaos and more blood." Most schools have been closed since the protests began on February 7, while public transport and local commerce have almost ground to a halt. Many businesses and fuel stations have been looted, and public and private vehicles burned, as the security situation in the impoverished Caribbean nation threatens to spiral out of control. The streets of the country's capital, Port-au-Prince are filled with garbage and barricades, some of them burning, making it impossible for traffic to pass. Leaders of opposition parties and civil society groups have asked the demonstrators to intensify their actions until Moise resigns. So far, the only pronouncement of the international community came this weekend through the Core Group, made up of the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the ambassadors of Germany, Brazil, Canada, Spain, the United States, France, the European Union and the special representative of the OAS, who called for dialogue to seek a solution to the political and economic crisis. The protests are taking place in the midst of a severe economic downturn, which was aggravated this year by a sharp depreciation of the gourde, Haiti's official currency, and an electricity supply crisis resulting from the shortage of gasoline. Haiti's economy, where more than half of its 10 million inhabitants survive on less than $2 a day, grew by just 1.4 per cent in 2018, one of the lowest growth rates in the region and well below the 2.2 per cent forecast at the beginning of last year, which was later reduced to 1.8 percent. Demonstrators also demand justice for alleged irregularities in the Petrocaribe program, through which Venezuela supplies oil to Haiti at favourable prices. An audit presented last week by the Court of Auditors revealed irregularities between 2008 and 2016 in this programme and pointed to 15 former ministers and current officials who are involved in this case, as well as a company run by Moise before he became president

Violent protests continue in Haiti as crisis deepens

Haitian authorities said on Tuesday a former prime minister and top official have been banned from leaving the country as prosecutors lead a corruption probe in which 12 people, including government officials, have been arrested.

Former Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive, who served from 2009 to 2011, and former justice minister Camille Edouard Jr, who served in 2016, cannot travel abroad while an investigation proceeds into corruption-related charges, Haiti&#39;s prosecutor Clame-Ocnam Dameus said.

Bellerive, who was premier during a catastrophic earthquake, was ordered to remain within Haiti by a judge who is investigating the 2009 disappearance of a public procurement official and the 2012 death of a construction manager allegedly connected to the case.

Bellerive denied any connection to either incident, or to other acts of corruption.

&quot;I believe all this is part of a political lynching,&quot; he told Reuters. &quot;No one can show me where I&#39;ve enriched myself or acquired unjustified properties.&quot;

Corruption has plagued Haiti for generations and President Jovenel Moise has pledged to fight it as a way to improve the impoverished Caribbean country&#39;s social and economic development.

Dameus said Edouard could potentially face charges of money laundering as well as misappropriation of public funds and properties.

Edouard did not respond to a request for comment.

The dozen others arrested between November and December, a group comprised mostly of government officials, face corruption charges that include the misappropriation of public funds, Dameus said.

Corruption has plagued Haiti for generations and President Jovenel Moise has pledged to fight it as a way to improve the impoverished Caribbean country's social and economic development.

Haitian authorities said on Tuesday a former prime minister and top official have been banned from leaving the country as prosecutors lead a corruption probe in which 12 people, including government officials, have been arrested. Former Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive, who served from 2009 to 2011, and former justice minister Camille Edouard Jr, who served in 2016, cannot travel abroad while an investigation proceeds into corruption-related charges, Haiti's prosecutor Clame-Ocnam Dameus said. Bellerive, who was premier during a catastrophic earthquake, was ordered to remain within Haiti by a judge who is investigating the 2009 disappearance of a public procurement official and the 2012 death of a construction manager allegedly connected to the case. Bellerive denied any connection to either incident, or to other acts of corruption. "I believe all this is part of a political lynching," he told Reuters. "No one can show me where I've enriched myself or acquired unjustified properties." Corruption has plagued Haiti for generations and President Jovenel Moise has pledged to fight it as a way to improve the impoverished Caribbean country's social and economic development. Dameus said Edouard could potentially face charges of money laundering as well as misappropriation of public funds and properties. Edouard did not respond to a request for comment. The dozen others arrested between November and December, a group comprised mostly of government officials, face corruption charges that include the misappropriation of public funds, Dameus said.

Haiti's ex-prime minister banned from travel amid corruption probe

More than two dozen people have signed up to run for Haiti&#39;s presidency, authorities said on Wednesday, including the four leading candidates from an earlier election aborted after a commission found widespread fraud. 
 
Unless registrations rise significantly before a midnight (0400 GMT) deadline, the number of presidential candidates will be about half those who contested the last ballot in Haiti, the hemisphere&#39;s poorest country. 
 
Fewer candidates could make the election due on October 9 easier to organise, with several politicians who ran last time pledging support for Jude Celestin, who came second in the previous ballot. 
 
&quot;This joint effort is a choice for stability and democracy, against corruption and fraudulent election,&quot; Celestin told reporters. 
 
Jovenel Moise, who came first last time, again registered to run, as did Jean-Charles Moise and Maryse Narcisse who came third and fourth last time. 
 
The registration of Moise removes uncertainty over whether his PHTK party would take part in the new election. The party&#39;s position had been that irregularities in the first round were not large enough to alter the outcome and that it would be better to hold a run-off vote between Celestin and Moise, a position supported by Washington and other donors. 
 
&quot;There is no question of abandoning the election process because we believe in democracy, and the only way to access power in a democracy is through election,&quot; &nbsp; said&nbsp;Rudy Heriveaux, a spokesman for Moise&#39;s PHTK party,. 
 
Haiti&#39;s last elected president left office without an elected successor, paving the way for an interim government led by President Jocelerme Privert. He failed to organise elections by May in a timeline set in a multi-party deal, but may end up staying on to organise the next vote. 
 
&quot;We continue to believe that Jocelerme Privert should leave power because his term is over, and he is manipulating the election process in favor of his political family,&quot; Heriveaux said. 
 
&quot;If the election is free, fair and democratic, there is no doubt that Jovenel Moise will win,&quot; he said. 
 
Former presidential candidate, Sauveur Pierre Etienne, who is now supporting Celestin, said he made that choice because he believes Celestin is the best man to lead the country. 
 
&quot;I support Jude Celestin because he showed that he is a man of character,&quot; he said. 
 
(Reuters)

Several politicians who ran last time pledge support for Jude Celestin, who came second in the previous ballot

More than two dozen people have signed up to run for Haiti's presidency, authorities said on Wednesday, including the four leading candidates from an earlier election aborted after a commission found widespread fraud. Unless registrations rise significantly before a midnight (0400 GMT) deadline, the number of presidential candidates will be about half those who contested the last ballot in Haiti, the hemisphere's poorest country. Fewer candidates could make the election due on October 9 easier to organise, with several politicians who ran last time pledging support for Jude Celestin, who came second in the previous ballot. "This joint effort is a choice for stability and democracy, against corruption and fraudulent election," Celestin told reporters. Jovenel Moise, who came first last time, again registered to run, as did Jean-Charles Moise and Maryse Narcisse who came third and fourth last time. The registration of Moise removes uncertainty over whether his PHTK party would take part in the new election. The party's position had been that irregularities in the first round were not large enough to alter the outcome and that it would be better to hold a run-off vote between Celestin and Moise, a position supported by Washington and other donors. "There is no question of abandoning the election process because we believe in democracy, and the only way to access power in a democracy is through election," said Rudy Heriveaux, a spokesman for Moise's PHTK party,. Haiti's last elected president left office without an elected successor, paving the way for an interim government led by President Jocelerme Privert. He failed to organise elections by May in a timeline set in a multi-party deal, but may end up staying on to organise the next vote. "We continue to believe that Jocelerme Privert should leave power because his term is over, and he is manipulating the election process in favor of his political family," Heriveaux said. "If the election is free, fair and democratic, there is no doubt that Jovenel Moise will win," he said. Former presidential candidate, Sauveur Pierre Etienne, who is now supporting Celestin, said he made that choice because he believes Celestin is the best man to lead the country. "I support Jude Celestin because he showed that he is a man of character," he said. (Reuters)

More than two dozen register to run for Haiti presidency

jovenel-moise

Jovenel Moise, News on Jovenel Moise, stories on Jovenel Moise, articles on Jovenel Moise, Jovenel Moise stories at Wion, Jovenel Moise news, Jovenel Moise latest news

jovenel moise

Haitian protesters clash with police in new push for president's ouster

Haiti President Moise breaks silence after week of violent unrest

Violent protests continue in Haiti as crisis deepens

Haiti's ex-prime minister banned from travel amid corruption probe

More than two dozen register to run for Haiti presidency