Haitian police dispersed a peaceful demonstration on Tuesday, calling for Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe’s private residence to protest insecurity and kidnappings.
The police used tear gas to disperse the demonstration, which involved several dozen people who launched hostile slogans against the current government for not taking drastic measures to combat the alarming number of kidnappings in the country.
In Haiti, no one escapes kidnapping: in recent months, police officers, students, professionals, doctors, religious and engineers have been kidnapped to demand ransom from families.
Tuesday’s protest takes place on the eve of a major demonstration called by the opposition to demand the resignation of the president, Jovenel Moise.
Last week, the opposition reactivated anti-government protests, aiming to increase pressure on the streets as February 7 approaches, the date they believe Moise’s tenure should end.
Moise came to power on February 7, 2017, with a five-year term, so he plans to remain in office until 2022.
However, from the opposition’s point of view, an article of the constitution states that the mandate will expire in 2021 and not next year, due to the cancellation of the 2015 elections, which were repeated a year later.
Currently, the Haitian president is promoting the drafting of a new constitution that aims to end the ongoing political instability that Haiti is experiencing.
If Moise’s plans are fulfilled, the Magna Carta will go to a referendum in April and presidential and parliamentary elections will be held in September under the new constitutional order.