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Haiti President's Term Will End in 2022, Biden Administration Says

Sandra Lemaire

   Haitian President Jovenel Moise's term will end on February 7, 2022,
   the Biden administration said Friday, weighing in on a contentious
   question that has roiled the Caribbean nation for months.

   "In accordance with the OAS [Organization of American States] position
   on the need to proceed with the democratic transfer of executive power,
   a new elected president should succeed President Moise when his term
   ends on February 7, 2022," State Department spokesman Ned Price said in
   response to a question from VOA.

   "The Haitian people deserve the opportunity to elect their leaders and
   restore Haiti's democratic institutions," Price said.

   The Biden administration's expression of support is significant for
   Moise and comes at a crucial time as he faces intense pressure from the
   political opposition to step down this Sunday.

   Price told VOA the U.S. Embassy in Haiti maintains contact with members
   "across the political spectrum" and that the United States, like the
   OAS, has "consistently called on all political forces to adhere to the
   spirit of their constitutional order."

   Ambassador's meeting

   Haiti Ambassador to the U.S. Bocchit Edmond tweeted Friday afternoon
   that he had a "very productive meeting" with the State Department. The
   ambassador said he discussed "upcoming elections, referendum on the new
   constitution and security challenges."

     Today I had a very productive meeting with the [1]@StateDept, where
     we discussed upcoming elections, referendum on the new constitution,
     and security challenges. We thank the U.S. Government for its
     continued engagement on strengthening Haiti's democracy.
     [2]@EmbassyOfHaiti [3]@MAE_Haiti
     -- Bocchit Edmond (@BocchitEdmond) [4]February 5, 2021

   Edmond also tweeted that he had a "productive call" Friday with
   officials at the National Democratic Institute, a nonpartisan
   organization that works with partners in developing countries to
   increase the effectiveness of democratic institutions.

     I Had a productive call today w/ [5]@ullmer_deborah & Matt Dippell
     of [6]@NDI. Our international partners are crucial as we prepare for
     the upcoming constitutional referendum & elections -to ensure the
     will of the Haitian people is expressed democratically.
     [7]pic.twitter.com/ImNLQYsEak
     -- Bocchit Edmond (@BocchitEdmond) [8]February 5, 2021

   The opposition accuses Moise of violating the country's constitution by
   not organizing elections in 2020 and of ruling by decree. That is the
   basis of its demand for his resignation.

   Opposition leaders, their supporters and ordinary citizens tired of the
   current state of affairs have taken to the streets almost daily over
   the past week to reiterate their demand.

References

   1. https://twitter.com/StateDept?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   2. https://twitter.com/EmbassyOfHaiti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   3. https://twitter.com/MAE_Haiti?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   4. https://twitter.com/BocchitEdmond/status/1357834822115352579?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   5. https://twitter.com/ullmer_deborah?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   6. https://twitter.com/NDI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
   7. https://t.co/ImNLQYsEak
   8. https://twitter.com/BocchitEdmond/status/1357515747124256775?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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