Haitians intensify struggle against president Jovenel Moïse
Haitian citizens, social movements, trade unions and opposition political parties are demanding the resignation of president Jovenel Moïse, who seeks to extend his term of office until February 2022, which according to the constitution ends this February 7
Haiti has been experiencing a new wave of protests against US-backed President Jovenel Moïse. Since January 10, thousands of citizens, students, workers, members of various social movements and opposition political parties have been mobilizing across the country in rejection of Moïse’s decision to hold presidential and legislative elections on September 19 and a referendum to replace the current constitution, which is the main achievement of the democratic movement of 1986, on April 25.
Haitian citizens and the opposition denounced Moïse’s decision as an attempt to extend his term of office until February 2022, which according to the constitution ends on February 7, 2021. The opposition also considered the referendum “invalid” and “unconstitutional” as the 1987 Constitution prohibits its modification through popular consultation. The citizens as well as the opposition are demanding that Moïse step down this February 7 and that a transitional government be set up immediately for a period of three years to later organize the general elections.
Several social movements, trade unions and opposition parties have called on the people to organize against the national government of right-wing Tèt Kale Party and intensify their measures of protest throughout the national territory until February 7. In the past three weeks, almost everyday, at least one demonstration or mobilization was carried out in the country.
Yesterday, on January 31, hundreds of Haitians took to the streets of several cities to demand Moïse’s resignation. In the capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as in the cities of Petit-Goave, Mirebalais, Verretes and Saint-Marc, the protesters blocked major roads and highways with burning tires and stones.
Haitian trade unions, such as the National Union of Haitian Workers, the United Movement of Haitian Workers (MUTH), the Lawyers’ Collective for the Defense of Human Rights and the Anti-Corruption Union Brigade (BSAC), have called for a general strike today and tomorrow, on February 1 and 2, to demand that the president respect Constitution and leave the National Palace. Since early morning, barricades have been erected in different parts of the country.
In the face of the recent popular insurrection, Moïse’s administration has deployed security forces in the capital and other important cities to suppress the social uprising. The Haitian National Police has been using tear gas and water cannons to repress the protesters.
