DW News published this video item, entitled “Haiti declares state of siege following assassination of President Jovenel Moise | DW News” – below is their description.
With Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise assassinated, acting Prime Minister Claude Joseph has declared a ‘state of siege’ and closed the international airport.
Moise had been ruling Haiti’s population of over 11 million by decree since the 2018 elections were delayed over a series of political disputes. One of those disputes was when Moise’s term was set to expire. Parliament was dissolved as a result.
In Haiti, some 60% of the population makes less than $2 (€1.70) a day and food and fuel shortages have led to spiraling inflation.
Many in the impoverished nation viewed Moise’s rule as illegitimate as his term legally expired in February 2021. He cycled through seven prime ministers in four years and faced a strong protest movement.
Opposition leaders have accused him of being power-hungry. With two controversial decrees, Moise has limited the power of courts to perform audits on public procurement contracts and created an intelligence service that only answers to the president.
In Port-au-Prince on Wednesday, the streets were quiet despite some reports of gunfire and looting said to have taken place in one area. The assassination follows a general uptick in violence and kidnappings for ransom as gangs and police vie for control of the streets
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