PORT-AU-PRINCE (Associated Press) – In Haiti, a mystery is not only killing the president, but also who rules the country: at least three men claim to lead the government, complicating the investigation into the assassination and creating a power vacuum.
Challenges are compounded to the power of acting Prime Minister Claude Joseph, who rules with the support of police militia and under-resourced armed forces. He promised dialogue with the opposition and with allies of President Jovenel Moss, who was assassinated on Wednesday at his home. His wife, Martin, was injured and was taken to Miami, where she remains in the hospital.
Few are waiting to see what Joseph does.
An opposition coalition called the People’s Democratic Sector denounced on Tuesday that Haiti is headless: “We are on autopilot, and this situation cannot continue. Unfortunately, the country is experiencing a proliferation of proposals for a way out of the crisis, which complicates the task.”
The coalition presented its proposal for the creation of an independent moral authority, composed of rights activists, religious leaders, academics, and others tasked with coordinating and integrating all government plans into a coherent plan.
Also on Tuesday, Haitian civil society leaders are set to present their own recommendations for “the Haitian solution to the grave, multidimensional crisis that is shaking our country.”
Meanwhile, Ariel Henry, whom Moyes appointed as prime minister the day before his assassination, claims to be the legitimate president, but he is not included in consultations with officials. He has the support of a group of political leaders considered allies of Lamos and who appointed Joseph Lambert, president of the dissolved Haitian Senate, as interim president.
Lambert was due to be sworn in on Sunday in a symbolic act, but the concert was called off at the last minute when Lambert said several of his supporters were missing.
Joseph, Henry and Lambert met Sunday with a US delegation that included officials from the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security, urging Haitians to “reach a political agreement that would allow the country to hold free and fair elections,” he said. Security Council at the White House.
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the delegation had received a request for assistance but did not provide details. He added that Haiti’s request for military assistance is “under review,” indicating that political uncertainty in the Caribbean nation is complicating the debate about how Washington can help.
“What was clear on that trip was the lack of clarity in the future of political leadership” in Haiti, Psaki said.
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