Haiti - FLASH : The U.S. and UN delegations hastily leave the funeral

Haiti – FLASH : The U.S. and UN delegations hastily leave the funeral
24/07/2021 10:30:40

Shortly before the start of the national funeral ceremony for President Jovenel Moïse, set for 10:00 a.m., clashes with the police and a few dozen highly motivated demonstrators occurred outside the Moïse family property. Protesters, supporters of President Moïse, demanded justice, accusing the police of having let the President die without intervening.

Police used tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters amid the ongoing gunfire.

The echoes of gunfire, the smoke from flaming tires visible from afar and the information reported at the stand of diplomatic delegations, prompted the security service to hastily evacuate the American delegation from the site and several other dignitaries present at the funeral. Followed a few minutes later by the departure under the protection of the UN Special Representative in Haiti, Ms. Helen La Lime, Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and her entourage.

The official convoys left the site under high protection and under the abuse and boos of the demonstrators while the funeral ceremony continued without further incident.

In the afternoon sporadic bursts of automatic weapons were heard. Valerio Canez’s store in Quartier Morin has been reported to have been vandalized, looted and set on fire. Several roads were blocked.

However, no casualties were reported among the demonstrators and there is no confirmation that beyond the intimidation, the personalities present at the funeral were really put in danger.

HL/ HaitiLibre

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