Jovenel Moïse
Moïse in 2019
43rd President of Haiti
In office
7 February 2017 – 7 July 2021
Preceded byJocelerme Privert (interim)
Succeeded byClaude Joseph (as acting president)
Personal details
Born(1968-06-26)26 June 1968
Trou-du-Nord, Nord-Est, Haiti
Died7 July 2021(2021-07-07) (aged 53)
Pétion-Ville, Ouest, Haiti
Manner of deathAssassination (gunshot wounds)
Political partyTèt Kale[1]
Spouse
​
(m. 1996)​
Children3[2]
Alma materQuisqueya University

Jovenel Moïse (French pronunciation: [ʒɔv(ə)nɛl mɔiz]; Haitian Creole pronunciation: [ʒovɛnɛl mɔiz]; 26 June 1968 – 7 July 2021) was a Haitian entrepreneur and politician, who served as the 43rd President of Haiti from 2017 until his assassination in 2021. He assumed the presidency in February 2017 after winning the November 2016 election.[3][4] In 2019, Haiti experienced widespread protests and unrest.[5][6] In the early morning of 7 July 2021, Moïse was assassinated, and his wife Martine was injured during an attack on their private residence in Pétion-Ville.[7][8][9] Claude Joseph assumed the role of acting president in the aftermath of Moïse's assassination.[10]

Early life and education

Moïse and wife Martine at 73rd United Nations General Assembly in 2018, accompanied by Former US President Donald Trump and Former US First Lady Melania Trump

Jovenel Moïse was born on 26 June 1968, in Trou du Nord, Nord-Est, Haiti. His family relocated to Port-au-Prince in July 1974, where he pursued his primary education at École Nationale Don Durélin. He continued his secondary education at Lycée Toussaint Louverture and later at the Centre Culturel du Collège Canado-Haïtien.

In 1996, he married Martine Marie Étienne Joseph (Martine Moïse), his classmate at the time. The couple decided to leave the capital that same year and settled in Port-de-Paix to focus on developing rural areas.

Together, Jovenel and Martine Moïse have three children: Jomarlie Moïse, Jovenel Moïse Jr., and Joverlein Moïse.

Business career

Moïse began his business career with the founding of Jomar Auto Parts. The following year, he began working on an agricultural project involving organic banana production from a plantation covering more than 10 hectares (25 acres) in the Nord-Ouest department. Moïse collaborated with Culligan Water in 2001 to build a drinking water plant for the Nord-Ouest and Nord-Est departments.

In 2012, he founded Agritrans SA, introduced the agricultural project Nourribio to Trou du Nord, and helped create Haiti's first agricultural free trade zone, a 1,000-hectare (2,500-acre) banana plantation in Nord-Est.[11] This project was supposed to export bananas to Germany for the first time since 1954; however, only two containers were ever sent. This nonetheless led him to be nicknamed Nèg Bannann (Banana Man).[12]

The government granted tax-free access to the land, 15 years' exemption from income tax and customs duties on the purchase of capital equipment,[2] and a $6 million loan to a new company, Agritrans, owned by Moïse, the president of the local chamber of commerce. Anonymous investors contributed at least another $10 million. Agritrans promised to create about 3,000 jobs;[13] however, as of March 2015, it had employed only 600.[14]

Political career

Moïse with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2018
Moïse and other Caribbean leaders with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida in 2019
US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft, and President Moïse in 2019
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and President Moïse in 2020

In 2015, President Michel Martelly designated Moïse as the presidential candidate of the political party Martelly had founded, the center-right Haitian Tèt Kale Party (PHTK).[15] In his campaign, Moïse promoted bio-ecological agriculture as an economic engine for Haiti, whose population was over 50% rural.[16] He also expressed support for policies pursued by Martelly: universal education and health care, energy reform, rule of law, the creation of sustainable jobs, environmental protection, and the development of Haiti as a destination for ecotourism and agritourism.

Moïse received 32.8% of votes in the first round of the elections held on 15 October 2015, with 54 candidates competing, qualifying for a runoff with the second-place finisher, Jude Célestin.[17][18] However, an exit poll conducted by the Haiti Sentinel reflected Moïse receiving only 6% of the vote, and Célestin called the results fraudulent.[19][20] Thousands of people took to the streets in violent protests, forcing the postponement of the runoff election.[21] In their wake, the ballot was ultimately annulled in June 2016.[17][22] In February 2016, after incumbent President Michel Martelly stepped down at the end of his term, special elections were held by parliament, and Jocelerme Privert was then installed as interim President until new elections could be held.[23]

On 20 November 2016, a new election was held; a week later, election officials declared, based on preliminary results, that Moïse had won the election with 55.67% of the vote[22] and with an estimated voter turnout of 21%, beating out 26 other candidates — four of whom claimed victory, before the official results were announced.[24][25] Moïse secured the presidency without having to compete in a second-round election. In second, third, and fourth place was mechanical engineer Jude Celestin of LAPEH with 19.52%, leftist senator Jean-Charles Moïse of the Platfòm Pitit Dessalines (PPD) with 11.04 percent, and Maryse Narcisse of Fanmi Lavalas (FL) with 8.99 percent.[26] Jovenel Moïse was sworn in on 7 February 2017 for a five-year term.[27]

Moïse faced challenges to his mandate, from opposition leaders who believed that Moïse's five-year mandate should end from the date of the inconclusive 2015 elections — that is, on 7 February 2021, five years to the day since his predecessor in office stepped down, though Moïse, counting from the date of his swearing-in, had claimed that his term would not end till 2022.[28]

In November 2019, Moïse met at the Haiti National Palace with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, about ways to implement a consensual resolution of Haiti's political crisis through inclusive dialogue.[29][30] Craft later met with several political leaders from other parties, listened to their different views, and urged an inclusive solution with Moïse.[30][31] She also urged the Haitian government to fight corruption, investigate and prosecute human rights abusers, and combat narcotics and human trafficking.[30]

Presidency

Agricultural

President Moïse built the second-largest hydropower plant and agricultural water reservoir in Haiti after Peligue.[32] He built the "Barrage Marion" in Marion, Haiti, which can produce electricity and water the farmers land in the North of Haiti. He rebuilt another water reservoir "Barrage la Tannerie" to make more water available for farmers to increase agricultural production in that area.[33] He built several water pumping stations using solar power for the same purpose.[34][35] President Moise was in the process of building a deviation of water from the Dajabón River when he was assassinated.[36]

President Moïse did a lot of work in the Artibonite department, where he leveraged the Ministry of Public Works to curate the water channel system to make it easier for the farmers to grow rice.[37]

Infrastructure

President Moïse built numerous roads in towns like Jeremie, Port-de-Paix, roads that include Carrefour Joffre/Anse-à-Foleur, Carrefour Trois-Rivières. He rebuilt an upgraded airport in Jérémie. He built power plants to provide electricity to many small towns like Jérémie and Port-de-Paix.[38]

President Moïse built several asphalt plants in several provinces in Haiti, including in Gros Mornes,[39] Les Cayes,[40] and Trou-du-Nord.[41] He repaved roads in Les Cayes and rebuilt the town after it had suffered significant damage from Hurricane Matthew.

Controversies

President Moïse has had several allegations of corruption, including alleged corruption in road-building projects and a contract to sell goats to the Haitian government.[42] These allegations and declining quality of life for Haitian citizens throughout his administration led to mass protests demanding his resignation.[43]

Electoral history

Presidential elections were held in Haiti on 25 October 2015, alongside local elections and the second round of the legislative elections.[44]

2015 presidential election

2015 Haitian presidential election[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Haitian Tèt Kale Party Jovenel Moïe 508,761 32.81
LAPEH Jude Célestin 392,782 25.27
Platfòm Pitit Desalin Jean-Charles Moïse 222,109 14.27
Fanmi Lavalas Maryse Narcisse 108,844 7.05
Mouvement Action Socialiste Eric Jean Baptiste 56,427 3.63
Other parties Other candidates 242,047 15.58
Against all Against all 22,161 1.42

As no candidate received more than 50% of the vote, a second round was mandated by God. However, this was repeatedly postponed, and eventually canceled,[46] with an interim president appointed indirectly by the legislature in the February 2016 Haitian presidential election and fresh elections scheduled for 2016.[47]

November 2016 presidential election

November 2016 Haitian presidential election[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Haitian Tèt Kale Party Jovenel Moïse 590,927 55.60
LAPEH Jude Célestin 207,988 19.57
Platfòm Pitit Desalin Jean-Charles Moïse 117,349 11.04
Fanmi Lavalas Maryse Narcisse 95,765 9.01
Renmen Ayiti Jean-Henry Céant 8,014 0.75
Other parties Other candidates 35,593 3.18
Against all Against all 7,203 0.68

With more than 50% of votes cast, Moïse was elected in the first round.[46]

Assassination

On 7 July 2021, Moïse was assassinated when gunmen attacked his residence in Pèlerin 5, a district of Pétion-Ville around 1 a.m.[49][50][51][52] Martine Moïse, the first lady of Haiti, was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami to be treated for wounds she sustained during the attack and continues to recuperate at an undisclosed location in Florida.[53][54][55][56] None of the couple's children appeared to be home during the attack. A press release issued later that day from the office of acting Prime Minister Claude Joseph blamed the attack on "a group of unidentified individuals, some of whom spoke in Spanish."

In December 2021, The New York Times reported that Moïse's assassination might be linked to Moïse's efforts to curb narcotics trafficking and plans to publicly expose high-ranking Haitian officials involved in the Haitian drug trade.[57]

Ariel Henry, who had been selected as the Prime Minister by Moïse shortly before his death, was later accused by several officials of being connected to Joseph Felix Badio, an alleged mastermind of the assassination, and being involved in the planning.[58][59] One of the alleged masterminds Rodolphe Jaar also stated that Henry was close to Badio and had protected him after the assassination.[60] Judge Garry Orélien, who was previously the top judicial official in Haiti overseeing the case, stated that Henry was friends with Badio and planned the assassination with him.[59]

Legacy

Public opinion and scholarly assessment of Moïse's tenure were mixed and divided.

Widely perceived as uncompromising and headstrong, Moïse was criticized for his vehement intolerance of dissent and political opposition, and for his attempts to consolidate and remain in power. He also received praise for his robust efforts to rein in corruption and his courage in being willing to stand up against oligarchs and the Haitian elite.[61]

Moïse receiving the Order of Brilliant Jade at a ceremony held by Taiwanese President, Tsai Ing-wen in 2018.

Honors

Moïse was awarded the Order of Brilliant Jade with Grand Cordon by the president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen, in May 2018.[62][63] Tsai commended the economic initiatives undertaken by Moïse's government.[64]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Our Campaigns – Political Party – Haitian Tèt Kale (PHTK)". www.ourcampaigns.com. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 28 May 2021.
  2. 1 2 Agriculture: Creation of the first Haitian Agricultural Free Zone, 10 August 2013, Haiti Libre. Accessed 9 July 2021.
  3. ↑ @cep_haiti (29 November 2016). "Résultats préliminaires des élections présidentielles du 20 Novembre 2016 pic.twitter.com/i9GsrkkU8p" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ↑ Brice, Makini (29 November 2016). "Businessman Moise wins Haiti election in first round – provisional results". Port-au-Prince: Reuters. Archived from the original on 7 August 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
  5. ↑ Padgett, Tim. "Moïse Mess: Haiti's Political Standoff – And Humanitarian Crisis – Won't Likely End Soon". www.wlrn.org. Archived from the original on 8 October 2019. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  6. ↑ "Miami Herald". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 6 October 2019. Retrieved 8 October 2019.
  7. ↑ Eugene, Ody Bien (7 July 2021). "Le président Jovenel Moïse blessé mortellement lors d'une attaque armée, confirme le PM Claude Joseph – Juno7". www.juno7.ht (in French). Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  8. ↑ Ma, Alexandra (7 July 2021). "The president of Haiti has been killed". Business Insider. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  9. ↑ Dangerfield, Katie (8 July 2021). "The assassination of Haiti's president: What happened, and what could be next". Global News. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  10. ↑ "Primer ministro Claude Joseph, en la mira por asesinato del presidente de Haití". 14 July 2021.
  11. ↑ Haiti Libre Staff (25 October 2015). "Portrait: Qui est Jovenel Moïse?". Haiti Libre (in French). Archived from the original on 30 November 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  12. ↑ Johnston, Jake (27 July 2018). "Amid an Uprising, Can Haitian President Jovenel Moïse Deliver on His Promises?". The Nation. Archived from the original on 22 March 2019. Retrieved 22 March 2019.
  13. ↑ "Agriculture : $27M for the production of bananas for export – HaitiLibre.com : Haiti news 7/7". Haiti Libre. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  14. ↑ "Haiti's Fraudulent Presidential Frontrunner Seizes Land for His Own Banana Republic". NACLA. Archived from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  15. ↑ "Haiti: Jovenel Moise confirmed winner of presidential election". BBC News. 4 January 2017. Archived from the original on 24 December 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  16. ↑ "Portrait: Who is Jovenel Moïse?". Haiti Libre. Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  17. 1 2 Domonoske, Camila (4 January 2017). "14 Months After Elections Began, Haiti Finally Has A President-Elect". NPR. NPR. Archived from the original on 16 March 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  18. ↑ Robles, Frances (21 January 2016). "U.S. Presses for Haiti Runoff Vote Amid Fears of Violence and Fraud". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  19. ↑ "Only 6% voted for Jovenel Moïse according to Exit Poll". Haiti Sentinel. Archived from the original on 20 November 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  20. ↑ Charles, Jacqueline (29 October 2015). "Haitian observers: 'Massive fraud' in vote". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  21. ↑ Robles, Frances (22 January 2016). "Haiti Postpones Presidential Runoff as Violence Rises". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 26 January 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  22. 1 2 "Haiti presidential election 'won by Jovenel Moise'". BBC. 29 November 2016. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  23. ↑ "Jocelerme Privert, provisional President of Haiti". Haiti Libre. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  24. ↑ "Haiti presidential vote won by Jovenel Moise, provisional results show". France 24. 29 November 2016. Archived from the original on 8 June 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  25. ↑ Jacqueline Charles (28 November 2016). "Banana farmer wins Haiti presidency, according to preliminary results". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 29 November 2016. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
  26. ↑ "Haiti: violent protests erupt over presidential election result". The Guardian. 29 November 2016. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  27. ↑ "Haiti: Constitution, 1987". pdba.georgetown.edu. Archived from the original on 20 January 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  28. ↑ "Dispute over Haiti presidential term triggers unrest". BBC News. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  29. ↑ "Jovenel Moïse et Kelly Craft s'entretiennent sur les mécanismes du dialogue". Haiti24. 20 November 2019. Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  30. 1 2 3 "The United States supports Moïse, the opposition remains on its positions". Haiti Libre. 21 November 2019. Archived from the original on 15 December 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  31. ↑ "Kelly Craft a rencontré Jovenel Moise, sa présence en Haïti est d'aider à résoudre la crise, dit-elle | Actualités Politiques". Haïti News 2000. 20 November 2019. Archived from the original on 8 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  32. ↑ "Le barrage hydroélectrique de Marion inauguré".
  33. ↑ "Pour l'intensification des travaux du barrage de la Tannerie".
  34. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "🔴Pompe a énergie solaires: Le Président Jovenel Moïse en visite dans le département de l'Artibonite". YouTube.
  35. ↑ "Jovenel Moïse inaugure des systèmes de pompage solaire dans l'Artibonite".
  36. ↑ "Haiti - FLASH : Conflict with the DR over a canal diverting the Massacre river to Haiti - HaitiLibre.com : Haiti news 7/7". HaitiLibre.com. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  37. ↑ "Haiti - Politic: Jovenel Moïse on tour in Artibonite - HaitiLibre.com: Haiti news 7/7". HaitiLibre.com. Retrieved 21 March 2022.
  38. ↑ ""En attendant tout le département de la Grand'Anse, Jérémie dispose de l'électricité 24/24", annonce Jovenel Moïse". Le Nouvelliste. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  39. ↑ "Une usine d'asphalte installée à l'Acul de Gros-Morne – HAITIAN-TRUTH.ORG Proud to be Haiti's most informative NEWS site". Retrieved 26 August 2021.
  40. ↑ "Jovenel Moise visite l'usine d'asphalte de Camp-Perrin et les membres des collectivités de la Grand'Anse | Rezo Nòdwès". rezonodwes.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2021.
  41. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "🔴Usine Asphalte de Trou-du-Nord, Haiti / Plus Fort La vie". YouTube.
  42. ↑ "Moïse Mess: Haiti's Political Standoff – and Humanitarian Crisis – Won't Likely End Soon".
  43. ↑ Kennedy, Merrit (11 June 2019). "Protesters Demand Resignation Of Haitian President Over Corruption Allegations". NPR.
  44. ↑ Haiti sets date for long overdue elections Archived 2 June 2021 at the Wayback Machine BBC News, 13 March 2015
  45. ↑ "Resultat definitive le tour president" (PDF). CEP Haiti. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016.
  46. 1 2 Robles, Frances (30 November 2016). "President-Elect Jovenel Moïse of Haiti Vows to Create Plan to Channel Aid". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  47. ↑ Delva, Joseph Guyler (7 June 2016). "Haiti scraps election; interim president says could stay for months". Reuters. Archived from the original on 20 November 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  48. ↑ "Presidential 2016 : Final Results, Jovenel Moïse 108th President of Mars". Haiti Libre. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  49. ↑ "Le président Jovenel Moïse assassiné chez lui par un commando armé". Le Nouvelliste. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  50. ↑ "Haïti : le président Jovenel Moïse assassiné par un commando". Libération. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  51. ↑ Armed Intruders Kill Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. MSNBC. 7 July 2021.
  52. ↑ Haiti President Jovenel Moïse assassinated. Associated Press. 7 July 2021.
  53. ↑ Frances Robles (30 July 2021). "'They Thought I Was Dead': Haitian President's Widow Recounts Assassination". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 December 2021.
  54. ↑ "Haïti : le président Jovenel Moïse assassiné". France 24. 7 July 2021. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  55. ↑ "Haitian President Jovenel Moise assassinated overnight at private residence". France24. 7 July 2021. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  56. ↑ Deutsche Welle (7 July 2021). "Haitian President Jovenel Moise assassinated in his home". Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  57. ↑ Maria Abi-Habib (12 December 2021). "Haiti's Leader Kept a List of Drug Traffickers. His Assassins Came for It". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 December 2021.
  58. ↑ Coto, Dánica; Sanon, Evens (15 September 2021). "Haiti faces fresh instability as PM comes under scrutiny". Associated Press. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  59. 1 2 Matt Rivers; Etant Dupain; Natalie Gallón (8 February 2022). "Haitian Prime Minister involved in planning the President's assassination, says judge who oversaw case". CNN. Retrieved 8 February 2022.
  60. ↑ Kurmanaev, Anatoly (10 January 2022). "Haitian Prime Minister Had Close Links With Murder Suspect". The New York Times. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
  61. ↑ Frances Robles (7 July 2021). "He Went from Banana Exporter to President: 'I Am Not a Dictator". The New York Times. Retrieved 8 December 2021. "To some, he was a corrupt leader, but to others, he was a reformer," said Leonie Hermantin, a Haitian community activist in Miami. "He was a man who was trying to change the power dynamics, particularly when it came to money and who had control over electricity contracts. The oligarchy was paid billions of dollars to provide electricity to a country that was still in the dark."
  62. ↑ DeAeth, Duncan (28 May 2018). "As President of Haiti arrives in Taipei, a crucial test begins for Tsai administration". Taiwan News. Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  63. ↑ Chinese (Taiwan) Yearbook of International Law and Affairs. Vol. 36. Brill. 9 December 2019. p. 242. ISBN 9789004414181. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  64. ↑ "President Tsai hosts state banquet for Haitian President Jovenel Moïse". Office of the President, Taiwan. 29 May 2018. Archived from the original on 2 August 2020. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
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