Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Hundreds in Haiti Stage Protests Against Corruption, President

Sandra Lemaire

   WASHINGTON/PORT-AU-PRINCE - Hundreds of Haitians braved rainy weather
   and joined an opposition protest Friday to demand an end to rampant
   government corruption and to call for President Jovenel Moise to
   resign.

   Opposition Senator Saurel Jacinthe, who drew attention to a bribery
   scheme in parliament, joined protesters in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
   One of Jacinthe's main targets was Prime Minister-designate Fritz
   William Michel, who has come under fire for allegedly bribing members
   of parliament to approve his nomination and for a questionable contract
   one of his businesses signed with the government.

   Michel has been criticized for selling to the government 20,000
   American goats at a cost of $325 a head. Critics say Michel has no
   experience with livestock and does not own a goat farm. The market
   price for goats in Haiti is $100.

   "You can't put a goat thief in the prime minister's seat. I think it's
   obvious," Jacinthe told VOA Creole, referring to the contract that
   Michel landed with the government.

   "Michel has to withdraw [his nomination] and I think it's clear that
   after that we can move forward with a ... new alternative to lead the
   country. That's why we are here today," Jacinthe said.

   The senator said the mobilization would continue until Tuesday.

   Friday's protests were meant to coincide with the birthday of national
   hero and former slave Jean Jacques Dessalines.

   Dessalines, a revered revolutionary war general, announced the
   country's independence from France in 1804. For many Haitians, he
   symbolizes the pinnacle of good leadership.

.