Port-au-Prince (CMC):
As Haiti commemorated the third anniversary of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, the president of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), Edgar Leblanc Fils, described the July 7 incident as “a barbaric act carried out by special forces of Haitians and foreign mercenaries.”
Moise, 53, was shot and killed in his private residence overlooking the capital on July 7, 2021. His wife, Martine Marie Etienne Moise, was also injured in the incident and was flown to the United States for treatment.
Several former Colombian soldiers have been arrested in connection with the murder but have not yet been charged, while U.S. authorities have indicted several Haitian nationals.
“It is with deep sadness and anguish that I bow my head in remembrance of the late President Jovenel Moïse, who was assassinated on the night of July 6-7, 2021, in his private residence at Pelerin 5, in the commune of Pétion-Cille,” Foreign Minister Leblanc Fils said Sunday during a memorial and meditation ceremony also attended by Prime Minister Garry Conille, government officials, senior officials of the Haitian Armed Forces (FAd’H) and Haitian National Police (PNH) Chief Rameau Normil.
“On the third anniversary of this barbaric act committed by Haitian and foreign mercenary special forces, we come together to reflect on the consequences of this tragic assassination,” the CPT representative said, adding: “If justice is not obtained for the late President Moïse and his family, how can other ordinary citizens, ministers, prime ministers or even the President of the Republic be safe from such threats?”
“There really is no one. So it is up to the Presidential Transitional Council and the administration of Prime Minister Garry Conille to do everything in their power to ensure that justice is brought to them.”
“It is vital that the judge and government commissioner in charge of the case are given all the necessary tools to ensure that the case is pursued and concluded independently in accordance with procedure and the law.”
Leblanc Fils renewed his tribute to Moïse’s memory, saying he “died in brutal circumstances that still remain unknown. I am committed to moving forward with Moïse’s assassination trial so that justice prevails and the Haitian people are freed from this ignominious burden that has been unjustly borne by them.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the President’s family members who were not able to pay their respects at the mausoleum this year. May they find peace among themselves and their families in harmony and reconciliation so that the soul of the deceased may rest in eternal peace,” the CPT representative added.
