Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has described the assassination of Haiti’s President, Jovenel Moïse as unfortunate and said he is praying for order in the nation during this “very difficult situation”.
Moïse was killed in an attack at his residence on Wednesday in the nation’s capital (Port-au-Prince), according to the country’s interim Prime Minister, Claude Joseph. The First Lady was reportedly also injured in the attack. There have also been reports that she has died from her injuries but Dominica News Online (DNO) has not been able to independently confirm that.
During an interview with DBS Radio this morning, Prime Minister Skerrit stated that Haiti has been embroiled in security and political challenges for a long time noting that these challenges intensified in the last year, with the postponement of, and demands for elections.
He said throughout the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting which concluded yesterday, a considerable amount of time was used to discuss the situation in Haiti.
The Prime Minister noted that CARICOM has sought to intervene in the matter and he is sure they will hold a meeting today.
“We’ve been in touch with the authorities in Haiti but it’s rather unfortunate that it has [gotten] to the assassination of the President Moïse. The situation in Haiti is very unstable; I’m sure CARICOM will convene a meeting sometime today to discuss the situation, with other partners and to see how we can help to bring some level of order and process in Haiti at this time,” he stated.
Skerrit revealed that prior to the Heads of Government meeting on Monday and Tuesday, they were in touch with President Moïse and the authorities in seeking to settle a timetable for elections and to bring the country back to some level of normalcy. He said, nonetheless, he believes that all of the efforts of International Community may have failed in setting a clear roadmap for elections.
“The political Issues are compounded with the Corona Virus challenge which is unabated, uncontrollable and of course with the virus [is] the dislocation of so many people and their livelihoods,” the Prime Minister added.
The Haitians are majestic and know exactly how to run and build their country “if America will let them” and the world realize what’s happening to them since the U.S invaded them in 1915 and never left. Simply because France was beaten by the first successful Africans they enslaved. They pledge to never let the triumphant slaves succeed economically. That’s what’s going on. Meanwhile they have us talking about who killed president and set that narrative for main-steam media to feed us. Over and over again.
What is unfortunate, Mr. Skerrit, is your utter refusal to STEP DOWN. Good thing you do not live in Haiti.
What happened to the millions and millions of dollars collected from the world community for Haiti after the earthquake? Ex US President Bill Clinton led the charge where is the money? The money may have taken a walk down the road and walked into personal bank accounts for the “impress” fund.
The USA have been the TRUE ruler of Haiti , and when it is needed, Haitian presidents that falls short of what is expected of the Americans, are usually Murdered or Exiled. Haiti is not alone in this, Mr Mitchel of Grenada was directed into power by the USA soon after the fall of the revolution, don’t forget Seaga, CIA and Jamaica of 1979/80. Yes, De US run “tings” in the Caribbean and elsewhere, Sovereign and Democracy, is talked about, talk it is. Neg bannan mr Moise, has become a Vere Neg when the story is told. Caribbean Neo-Liberal Gov’ts of today, are all SOROGATES of the USA. Very UNFORTUNATE.
How about every party has a military arm. What would give the labour party right to have arms and not other parties. Parties dont own Dominica. I use to think your comments were just in blind support but this tells a more twisted brains. Do you think that would make the rest of Dominica curl up and stay in thier homes? Do you think there will ever be stability? This comment tells why some folks should never be allowed to be in position of power. They are to immature to handle it.
Why isn’t the CARICOM Regional Security Service (RSS) in Haiti? Isn’t Haiti more destabilised and a greater threat to CARICOM region than Dominica and Salisbury village could ever be? Haiti continues to fail because we, as a Black Caribbean family, have failed Haiti! CARICOM has failed Haiti! And as sad as this is, why is no one talking about the arrogance of this leader who would not listen to his own people because he had the backing of big powers overseas? I see it in Dominica, St Vincent, Antigua, Grenada, Sk. Kitts under Douglas, leaders who because they won a last election will not listen to the electorate or concerned citizens. Leaders who believe that once they are elected they are answerable to no one! This is where that type of behaviour ends, whether in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean! Too often these type of narcissistic, arrogant leaders who think that they have a God-given right to rule, do not listen to the people! It never ends well! Electoral reform…
@Truth Be Told, you ask a valid question about Caricom not being in Haiti. These bunch of hot air, arrogant, empty vessels who love to talk about territorial integrity and sovereignty don’t have anything to contribute besides empty rhetoric. They, like most other serious people will want the US to do something and they will want to hold unto the coattails of America just so they can sound relevant. Haiti is part of their grouping, therefore they should take a lead in trying to resolve the crisis rather than just belching platitudes. They are a waste of time in my book. No one is taking them seriously except themselves.
The RSS could experience serious resistance there potentially by armed people. The RSS would only ever go to places where they do not anticipate any resistance most certainly not armed resistance. The people of Salisbury were easy prey at the time, right up the RSS street. Having said that, I do not even blame the RSS for going to Salisbury, I blame the man who asked them to go there and that is no other than our so called leader. Now, how shameful is that. The PM of Dominica orders armed foreigners on his own people. Just think about it! Worse even, that man is still in office…! What on earth does that say about our citizens?
You are so right. The man has to go, nuff said.
Roosevelt, you can talk about security as much as you like; if people wish to get rid of a leader by force of any kind; security goons cannot stop the inevitable!
The assassinated brought that on himself; absolute power corrupts!
The dead man tenure in office ended in May, of this year; he refused to leave office because he wanted to be a dictator; but you see in some parts of the world including Haiti, when corrupted politicians try to make politics their estate, and the citizens of the country their slaves, there are different methods that can be used to remove them.
The Haitians chose the route of an assassination!
Where it pertains to politics, and the politician; none of you people are indispensable, people are vulnerable, and expendable too; and it matters not in what country, as we saw dating back to 1962, in the United States where President Kennedy, and later his brother assassinated; not because they were dictators.
In recent years we saw President Reagan shot!
Look at who is leading CARICOM at present, Gaston Browne! I would like someone with the means and access to compile and replay the numerous unbelievably insensate utterances that this man has made as prime minister. Unbelievably nauseating!!
The caliber of persons in the top seat of power throughout the CARICOM community is appalling galling. CARICOM is just a worthless abbreviation nothing more.
No decent minded, God-fearing person should condone the murder of any human being. I pray for Mr. Moise’s wife to make a complete recovery.
Having said that, Mr. Moise became very unpopular, refused to hold presidential election, ruled by decree and was emulating Papa and Baby Doc.
CARICOM leaders sat on the sideline, indifferent to the excesses and deafeningly silent to the constant erosion of all democratic practices by one of their own. Not a word of admonition or objection to the now deceased.
This could have been avoided if pressure was brought to bear on Mr. Moise by his colleagues. Silence gives consent.
These things are never done by ‘The People’. The U.S and France are always living up to their pledge from 1804 of crippling Haiti and Africa using coups and covert counter-coups in ways that always point to blame ‘The people’. Wake up people, they do that all the time, research their historical track record and stop talking, is real.
What you wrote is all public records hidden in plain sight as usual. Most people who read your comment know that from Trujillo in the DR to papa doc, Sweet Mickey were planted by those countries, the West by extension, except the 2 people who seem to be living under a rock somewhere that gave a thumbs down.
rather unfortunate. I expect to see some civil war going on as various factions may be seeking control of the nations military, treasury and resources.
Haiti suffers from 3 calamities :
1-Demography : too many people that the country cannot feed ; some flee Haiti to seek for a better life ; but that’s not the solution.
The only solution is birth control
2- Major lack of competence for the heads of State since the independance :
a dictator, then his son, then a bishop, then a singer, ….
What do you expect ?
First of all, Haiti needs a good economist to rule the country
3- Corruption : same thing as in many countries ( Africa, south America, … )
I agree with your second and third solutions and there are more but disagree with the first.
The number one, two and three problems in Haiti, listed in order of profoundness, are CORRUPTION! CORRUPTION! CORRUPTION!
Get rid of the systemic corruption in government and you will have good governance, a fair judicial system, apolitical and competent police force, booming economy and the rule of law will take precedence over most things.
It is said that money is the root of all evil. Well, if that is true, then corruption has to be a close second.
The dictator was actually a doctor. power and his own insecurities turned him into a dictator over time.
Cannot be said enough.
I believe CARICOM should help set up a body, as all the efforts from outside have failed in the past – take the template from let us say Dominica following independence and take Haiti’s plan and try to place their plan into the template and help Haiti get inline with the type of governance we have in the region.
Starting off where they missed during their independence – this time start off like a new a nation – now with diplomatic ties and friends – compared to when they newly started.
CARICOM should actually in the business of trying to recoup 150 million Haiti had to pay to France to acknowledge their independence and diplomatic relations.
Moise was attempting to secure himself as another dictator in Haiti and he got what he deserved. He can now go power up some weeds. I pray that the mess he left behind will not disintegrate into further chaos. Haiti I’m sorry and wonder when will it end? The descendants of the early European colonizers backed Moise and he felt invincible. Why do they continue to meddle in Haitians affairs?
It is unfortunate in a time like this to hear the allegation that the DEA were involved in the assassination especially now more than ever. These types of accusations whether they be true or not does not reflect well on the United States.
A lot can happen as we know – Dominica’s national security should be very vigilant and I would want to think of a national security brief or conference(confidential) with the main opposition and his national security personnel on the various threats and bring some ideas. This does not mean you are going to share your plans but be on the same page and share what might be threats.
If not, at least the UWP and various parties should have their own security conference or even Security companies in Dominica should have one.
@En Ba La, check this out. The US invaded Haiti in 1915 and remained there until 1943. When they left they left control of the country in those who are pro America. The US has been back a few more times to invade and what physical evidence is there that the US occupied Haiti? Look elsewhere in the world and you will see that after the US left other countries where it’s adventurism took it, egs, the Philippines, South Korea, recently Iraq and Afghanistan you will see physical evidence of the US occupation. Why is that so? Prior to the outbreak of the Aids epidemic the US used to harvest blood from Haitians for use in their blood banks. After America turned it’s back on Haiti following the revolution, America has contributed to keeping most Haitians poor whilst working with those rich people it supports. This act I believe involves the rich elite and the Americans. Don’t discount the DEA story even if they claim it’s not so.
This is so true! But unfortunately most dominicans won’t understand what you wrote, they’re bored unless you incorporated words like uwp, labour and skerritt to wake em up.
UWP? Oh Skerrit needs UWP now? Let him take his wood
When leaders behave like Kings and forget there are there to serve it always comes to an unfortunate end. Hopefully this serves as a warning to the so called “Comrades Gang” in the Eastern Caribbean. The question is; “who might be next?……Tick too, Tick too!
I don’t want any of the misleader and vagabonds of CARICOM to meet the same fate as Mr. Moise. I want them to end up like Jacob Zima behind iron curtains.
I’m going to live long enough to see Mr. Skerrit wearing silver bracelets on the wrists and ankles.
Praying for stability and strength for the people of Haiti.
Caricom what….?
I see a greedy bunch of wanna be millionaires!
Caricom sent de RSS to little village of Salisbury!
RSS will stay away from Haiti!
Diplomacy failed!!!
Big heads speaking to big heads while de ordinary man sinking in hopelessness!
Murder in cold blood is not only unfortunate but horrible!
Take a moment to reflect…. earnestly… because this can happen to a leader when he disregard de honest cry of the people for too long!!
I have said,a long time ago the DOMINICA LABOUR PARTY should have a military arm
The DLP or more to the point your PM already have a para military arm by the name of the Manicou Gang which is officially part of the CDPF. Anyway, when the day comes and believe me it will come soon, they won’t be able to help the double doctor, nor you for that matter. Trust!
@Lin clown, only a clown would suggest something like that because he doesn’t comprehend the full implications of his gibberish from the bird brain of his.
Yes Circus Clown -to exterminate out parasites like you. You have a parasitic relationship with this unscrupulous, shady government.
How about every party has a military arm. What would give the labour party right to have arms and not other parties. Parties dont own Dominica. I use to think your comments were just in blind support but this tells a more twisted brains. Do you think that would make the rest of Dominica curl up and stay in thier homes? Do you think there will ever be stability? This comment tells why some folks should never be allowed to be in position of power. They are to immature to handle it.
Clown, you are such an ignorant clown you are seeing the military arm catering to that corrupted crook the boy Roosevelt, but you so blind from perhaps smoking something; the smoke gets into your eyes blinding you to defend corruption!
But hear this; dictators, and corrupted politicians can overstay as long as they are allowed, people sometimes remain blind for a number of years, and one day a single argument sparks a fire in the soul of the oppressed which leads to insurrection and beyond.
Take a page out of the events out of Haiti recently, when the dictators refused to leave legally, because he crave power, it took only a few brave to remove the corrupted dictator; who may be screwing up peoples life’s!
The assassinated dictator wife said he wanted to extend his time in office so that he could change the constitution, in order to make life better for the poor.
My contention is this; why couldn’t he change the constitution while he was legitimately president?
To whom does Skerrit the inveterate and compulsive liar pray? To God or to the devil?
This liar called Skerrit just garbles garbage!!!
You wicked Soul!!
worry about who YOU pray to and where your soul will end up. We all have to answer to the same God.
@Worry about you
I must worry about corrupt souls like you…
Flee from your corrupt practices and instruct your false god to do likewise. Stop being a hypoocrite and an accessory of evil.
Liar Skerrit if you are praying for Haiti and forget praying for yourself then both you and Haiti are doomed…
Liar Skerrit there are lesson to be learnt from this assassination, but your ego, you lies, your deceipt and deception, you evil ways have rendered you incapable of learning anything worthwhile…
The new genre of Caricom leaders are all corrupt particularly the ones in Dominica, and Antigua and this assassination shows that political office should NEVER be something that a leader should try to hold on to at all cost!!!
25 million net profit by EC Bank a drop in 61%. Increase dictatorship in Dominica and places like St. Vincent. Our PM was recently in Venezuela talking on behalf of Dominica about eliminating NGOs yet the speech has not been played in our local media. The region is straying away from Democracy while politicians are trying to grab power by all cost and to steal wealth of the nation while the people of the region are increasingly impoverished. CARICOM with its non binding agreements is silent and like a spinless and toothless guard dog who only responds in a knee jerk reaction to events. A man ambushed the Democratic process to make himself a dictator. All i will say is prior to the eruption of a volcano there are always tremors and signs and only the foolish do not pay attention. When it blows there will be destruction. We need leadership change across the region or else it is only going to get worst. We can do better.