Tension was high in Haiti on Tuesday (January 19) as protesters took to the streets of Haiti’s capital to demand the suspension of a Jan. 24 presidential election over alleged irregularities.
Haiti is due to hold a run-off vote backed by international donors on Sunday, but tensions have risen since opposition candidate Jude Celestin said last week he would withdraw, on grounds that electoral authorities favoured the ruling party.
Swiss-trained engineer Celestin, 53, came second in an October first round in the poor Caribbean nation, beaten by banana exporter Jovenel Moise, 47, the ruling party candidate.
A crowd of several thousand grew as it moved from poor neighbourhoods into downtown Port-au-Prince. Anger poured out against the election and the current government as well as the United States.
“We want to tell the international community that we will not ask forgiveness because we know you will never be for this black country, for the Haitian people and we know we have to fight for our country. We have a country that is rich, that has a lot of gold mines. The Americans and its allies want to pillage the country,” said one protester.
Riot police took up positions throughout the streets and skirmishes erupted. Small clouds of tear gas were seen, some protesters were arrested and at least one person said he was injured during the protest.
Elections and transfers of power in Haiti have long been plagued by instability, and international observers said October’s vote was relatively smooth. However, several of the 54 candidates alleged fraud in favour of Moise.
On Monday (January 18), Moise called on voters to participate in the second round, telling reporters that the election was a “turning point” that would strengthen Haiti’s democracy.
The protesters demanded the creation of an interim government and fresh elections to be held after President Michel Martelly leaves office in February. (Reuters)