Tebogo Msimanga |
Haitian Ambassador to South Africa, Jacques Junior Baril on Friday, 9 July 2021, said the Government, Embassy, and people of the Republic of Haiti, are mourning the passing of President Jovenel Moise.
President Moise was assassinated in his private residence in Port-au-Prince on Wednesday 07 July 2021. The President’s wife, First Lady Martine Moise, although in critical condition, is stable and recovering from the injuries she sustained during the attack.
“As the Government and people of Haiti, we strongly condemn this barbaric attack that has claimed the life of our President and injured our First Lady. It is utterly deplorable and those responsible will be brought to justice.”
Baril confirmed that the attack was undertaken by a professionally trained and heavily armed group of foreign mercenaries. “At this time understand that seventeen people have been arrested in connection with the assassination, two men believed to be Haitian Americans, 15 of the detained suspects are from Colombia. Three suspects were killed by police and eight remain at large.”
In a statement released on Friday, Baril added that President Moise was an advocate for a peaceful and unified Haiti. He had bold ideologies and honest intentions to transform and improve Haiti’s democracy. “His recent work is that of reforming the country’s Constitution. Though we have lost a committed and patriotic President, we will honour his work and continue to fight for peace and stability.”
President Moise was 53 years old.
