Haiti President Jovenel Moise Assassinated at Home

Haiti interim PM Claude Joseph announced the assassination of the President of Haiti Jovenel Moise in his private residence on the 7th of July, 2021. 

In a statement issued early today, Wednesday, Joseph said, "A group of unidentified individuals attacked the private residence of Moise overnight on Wednesday and shot him dead." The first lady was injured in the attack and was rushed to the hospital, according to Reuters.

Joseph added that he was now in charge of the country, and “all measures are being taken to guarantee the continuity of the state and to protect the nation,” Joseph said. Gunshots could be heard throughout the capital.

Last Monday, President Jovenel had announced appointing Ariel Henry as Prime Minister, becoming the seventh prime minister to hold the position in four and a half years. However, the Parliament will not endorse his appointment, as there is no parliament at the moment.

Presidential and parliamentary elections, as well as a constitutional referendum, are scheduled to take place on September 26.

It is worth mentioning that after the cancellation of the parliamentary elections scheduled for October 2019 as a result of violent protests against Moise, Haiti has not had a parliament since the beginning of the legislative term in January 2020. Since then, Moise has ruled the country by decree.