Haitian President, Jovenel Moïse has announced the arrest of more than 20 people he accused of trying to kill him and overthrow his government. These individuals include a Supreme Court judge who has the support of opposition leaders demanding that Moïse step down, as well as Police Inspector General.
“There was an attempt on my life,” said the embattled leader at Haiti’s airport in Port-au-Prince, flanked by the country’s prime minister and the police chief as he prepared to leave for the southern coastal town of Jacmel, the embattled leader. Moïse said the alleged plot began in November 2020 but did not provide further details or any evidence except to say among the people arrested is a judge and an inspector general with the police. Moïse then said other high-ranking officials would provide more information.
Judge And Police Inspector Arrested
Prime Minister Joseph Joute later in the day announced that authorities found several weapons and a speech that Supreme Court Judge Yvickel Dabrézil had allegedly prepared if he were to become provisional president. Dabrézil is one of three Haitian judges that the opposition favours as a potential transitional president.
Meanwhile, Justice Minister Rockefeller Vincent accused the inspector general of being in touch with high-ranking security officials at the National Palace over an alleged plot to have the president arrested.
Also arrested was Police General Inspector Antoinette Gauthier, according to a statement from the Young Bar Association of Port-au-Prince, which accused Moïse’s administration of sowing terror and said Sunday’s actions should not be tolerated.
Opposition Calls For Civil Disobedience
André Michel, one of Haiti’s top opposition leaders, held a press conference hours after the arrests and called for civil disobedience and demanded that Moïse be arrested. Michel, an attorney, said it was illegal to arrest Dabrézil because he has automatic immunity.
Dispute Over End Of Term
Opposition leaders have asked Moïse to resign, saying that his term ends on Sunday. Moïse has repeatedly stated that his five-year term ends in February 2022. Former President Michel Martelly’s term ended in 2016, but a chaotic election forced the appointment of a provisional president for one year until Moïse was sworn in in 2017.
Meanwhile, Moïse appears to have the support of the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden. Ned Price, a US State Department spokesman, said Friday that the US has urged Haiti to organise free and fair elections so that Parliament can resume operations, adding that a newly elected president should succeed Moïse when his term ends in February 2022.
