As the political crisis in Haiti reaches breaking point, the US will need to do more than investigate the President’s assassination
As a team of American officials investigate the assassination of Haiti’s president, the country falls into political chaos. With the US’ ties to Haiti, this emerging crisis could have impact that reach far beyond Africa.
Although the White House is still reviewing Haiti’s plea for troops to help secure the country, additional military support looks unlikely.
“I don’t know that we’re at a point now where we can say definitively that our national security is being put at risk by what’s happening there,” US secretary of Defence John Kirby said. “But clearly we value our Haitian partners. We value stability and security in that country.”
Now, the world is watching to see if the US lives up to that claim.
We are shocked and saddened to hear of the horrific assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and the attack on First Lady Martine Moïse of Haiti. We condemn this heinous act — and stand ready to assist as we continue to work for a safe and secure Haiti.
Three suspects in President Moïse’s murder have ties to the US
The mercenaries who murdered Jovenel Moïse entered the president’s house dressed like US Drug Enforcement agents. Haiti’s Interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph says they were “well-trained professionals”. The assasins also attacked Haiti’s first lady, who is now recovering in a Florida hospital.
Although the majority of suspects ties to the case are former Colombian soldiers, the investigators have also arrested three suspects with ties to the US. They also recently arrested a Florida-based doctor for his involvement in the assassination, alongside two Americans arrested earlier this week.
The two Americans both say they worked only as translators, and were not in the room when the mercenaries killed the president. They say their goal was to bring the president to the national palace, not kill him.
Suspects in the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse included the American citizens James Solages, left, and Joseph Vincent, second left. Credit: Business insider.
Haiti grapples for control amid leadership grab
Moïse’s murder has thrown the country into a mad scramble for leadership. Interim prime minister Claude Joseph has since made a grab for the top spot. This is despite the former president sacking him a week before his murder.
“Let’s search for harmony to advance together, so the country doesn’t fall into chaos,” warned Joseph.
Despite Joseph’s attempts to garner support from the US, eight of Haiti’s ten remaining senators have challenged Joseph’s legitimacy to rule. The group signed a resolution calling for a new government to replace the intern prime minister with Senate president, Joseph Lambert.
On Saturday, Lambert also said the Senate had postponed a swearing-in ceremony so that all senators could participate. “There is an urgent need to rebuild hope in our country,” he said on Twitter.
Amid the assassination and subsequent leadership scramble, Haiti’s September elections are looking unlikely. Many civil society groups have raised concerns that holding the elections would exacerbate the political crisis.
President Moïse’s assassination is only the latest in a string of the country’s misfortunes, as it struggles to recover from a massive earthquake that struck the nation over ten years ago. Human rights groups estimate gangs control about 60 per cent of the country’s territory.
Haiti also faces food and water insecurity, which have come under greater strain following the outbreak of Covid-19.
Any hope for stability rests on the country solving this latest political crisis. But the Supreme Court’s Chief Justice, who might be expected to help during the upheaval, died recently of COVID-19.
Natasha is an Associate Producer at ticker NEWS with a Bachelor of arts from Monash University. She has previously worked at Sky News Australia and Monash University as an Online Content Producer.
In Short:
– Japan’s PM Sanae Takaichi will negotiate with Trump on pickups, soybeans, and natural gas next week.
– Takaichi won’t commit to new defence spending, focusing on strengthening U.S.-Japan relations and investment discussions.
Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, is preparing to negotiate with U.S. President Donald Trump next week, aiming to present a package that includes U.S. pickups, soybeans, and natural gas.Takaichi’s administration will not commit to new defence spending at the meeting, despite U.S. pressure for Japan and allies to increase contributions. The meeting will take place during Trump’s first visit to Japan since his re-election, following a prior agreement for Japan to invest up to $550 billion in the U.S. in exchange for lower car tariffs.
The alliance with the U.S. is crucial to Japan’s foreign and security policy, according to Takaichi. A successful dialogue with Trump could strengthen her government, which operates with a parliamentary minority. Washington’s support is essential for Takaichi to advance her regional security agenda.
Diplomatic Details
Main initiatives include purchasing Ford F-150 pickup trucks, an idea suggested by Trump, and increasing U.S. soybean imports amidst declining exports to China. U.S. pickups are impractical for most Japanese consumers but may find utility in specific roles like snow plowing.
Japan plans to enhance its acquisition of U.S. liquefied natural gas, although it will not initially source from a Trump-favoured Alaskan pipeline. Investment discussions will accompany the trade talks, ensuring that Takaichi maintains commitments made by her predecessor.
In defence, Takaichi seeks to solidify ties with the U.S., with Japan housing a significant U.S. military presence. Japan’s defence strategy will undergo reviews to potentially accelerate military capabilities.
Trump and Xi to meet at APEC, seeking to ease trade tensions and revive dialogue amid tariff threats.
President Trump and President Xi Jinping will meet for the first time in six years at the APEC summit, aiming to ease trade tensions and revive dialogue amid tariff threats.