Haitian President Jovenel Moïse assassinated at home
The attack occurred amid a rising wave of politically linked violence in the impoverished Caribbean nation.
PRETORIA, July 7 (ANA) – Haitian President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated after a group of unidentified people attacked his private residence, the country’s interim prime minister said in a statement Wednesday.
Moïse’s wife, First Lady Martine Moïse, was injured during the attack and has been hospitalised, Interim Premier Claude Joseph said.
Joseph condemned what he called a hateful, inhumane and barbaric act, adding that Haiti’s National Police and other authorities had the situation in the Caribbean country under control.
Moïse, 53, had been in power since February 2017, after his predecessor, Michel Martelly, stepped down, the BBC reported.
Al Jazeera said the attack occurred amid a rising wave of politically linked violence in the impoverished Caribbean nation. With Haiti politically divided and facing a growing humanitarian crisis and shortages of food, there are fears of widespread disorder.
The broadcaster said Port-au-Prince has been suffering an increase in violence as gangs battle one another and police for control of the streets.
The violence is being fuelled by an increase in poverty and political instability, the news broadcaster added.
– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher