One person was killed and several others were injured this Monday, February 5, 2024 during demonstrations which brought together hundreds of Haitians in Port-au-Prince and other cities in the country.
Demonstrations aimed at demanding the departure of Prime Minister Ariel Henry before February 7, the traditional date of presidential inaugurations, were organized in several cities across the country this Monday, February 5. In the town of Les Cayes, the streets were the scene of violent clashes, leading to the death of one person and leaving at least three injured, according to local media. The identities of the victims have not been revealed.
In Port-au-Prince, barricades were erected and set on fire in several streets, including the Delmas highway, while demonstrators marched through the city’s arteries to express their discontent with the government of Ariel Henry, whom they consider themselves incapable of leading the country after more than 30 months in power since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.
Exchanges of fire were reported in various areas of the capital’s metropolitan region, leading to the closure of schools and disruptions to public transport. Many businesses also had to close their doors as a safety measure.
Former Prime Minister Claude Joseph, of the Engages pour le Développement (EDE) party and opponent of the government, joined a sit-in which was to take place in front of the Prime Minister’s office which was dispersed using tear gas by the national police. The police prevented the protesters from reaching Ariel Henry’s residence as planned.
In addition to Port-au-Prince or Les Cayes, demonstrations took place in provincial towns such as Gonaïves, Jérémie and Ouanaminthe, completely paralyzing these areas.
These demonstrations come against a backdrop of rising tensions in Haiti, with calls for “revolution” launched by former Haitian rebel leader Guy Philippe, who returned to Haiti after spending more than six years in prison in the United States.
In anticipation of the symbolic date of February 7, demonstrations are planned across the country, which has led to the closure of schools in order to prevent any risk.
Haiti is going through a critical period on the social, political and economic levels, with increasing violence fueled by armed gangs, responsible for massacres, kidnappings, rapes and attacks.
Faced with this situation, the United Nations Security Council approved last October the dispatch of a multinational security support mission, led by Kenya. However, this mission is waiting to be realized.
