Third anniversary of the assassination of President Moïse

PORT-AU-PRINCE (CMC):

Haiti marked the third anniversary of the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse with the head of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), Edgard Leblanc Fils, describing the July 7 event as “this barbaric act carried out by a commando of Haitian and foreign mercenaries”.

Moïse, 53, was gunned down at his private residence overlooking the capital on July 7, 2021. His wife, Martine Marie Étienne Moïse, was also injured in the event and had to be flown to the United States for medical treatment.

Several Colombian former soldiers have been arrested but not yet charged in connection with the murder, while the United States authorities have filed charges against several Haitian nationals.

“I humbly bow with a deep feeling of sadness mixed with anguish before the memory of the late President Jovenel Moïse, assassinated on the night of July 6 to 7, 2021, in his private residence at Pèlerin 5 in the commune of Pétion-cille,” Leblanc Fils said at a ceremony of reflection and meditation on Sunday that was also attended by Prime Minister Garry Conille and members of his government, senior officials of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H), and Rameau Normil, director general of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), among others.

“On the occasion of the third anniversary of this barbaric act carried out by a commando of Haitian and foreign mercenaries, we are gathered to reflect on the consequences of this tragic assassination,” the CPT head said, adding, “If the late President Moïse and his family do not obtain justice, what other ordinary citizen, what minister, prime minister or even president of the republic will be safe from such a threat?

“Really no one. It is therefore up to the Presidential Transitional Council and the administration of Prime Minister Garry Conille to do everything possible to ensure that justice is done to them.

“It is important that all necessary means be granted to the judge in charge of the case, to the Government Commissioner, so that the case is independently pursued and concluded in accordance with the procedures and the law.”

Leblanc Fils said that he was bowing once more to the memory of Moïse “who died in atrocious conditions, not yet clarified, and I am committed to advancing the case for the trial of his assassination so that justice triumphs, so that the Haitian nation is freed from this ignoble burden that it bears without deserving it.

”I would like to take this opportunity to salute the members of the president’s family who were unable this year to pay homage to him and pay their respects at his mausoleum. May they find peace within themselves and among themselves, in harmony and reconciliation, for the eternal rest of the soul of the deceased,” the CPT head added.