1/9 We interviewed #Haiti's president about the political gridlock paralyzing his country. He said he entered closed door talks w/ members of opposition, civil society a wk and a half ago after public attempts failed. Opposition leaders denied involvement reut.rs/2Kuw2lQ
2/9 Jovenel Moise also said #Haiti needed international support to overcome a humanitarian crisis. The protests, with barricades blocking main arteries, have worsened food insecurity by preventing relief from reaching people. Moise asked for logistical support. @andrepaultre
3/9 More than one-in-three Haitians need urgent assistance to meet their food needs, meaning nearly 3.7 mln people, the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) said earlier this month. More than one mln people are considered to be facing a food "emergency", one step away from "famine".
4/9 Moise played down the fact Haiti would have no parliament, or govt, from January due to the fact it had failed to organize legislative elections, saying this had happened before. But it did make it all the more important to reach a political accord, he said.
5/9 Moise said he wanted to carry out reforms including changing the constitution to strengthen the president’s powers so he is not held hostage by parliament.
The presidency is weak under Haiti’s current constitution as it was written in the wake of the Duvalier dictatorships.
The presidency is weak under Haiti’s current constitution as it was written in the wake of the Duvalier dictatorships.
6/9 On the investigation into the alleged embezzlement of Venezuelan aid funds in #Haiti, Moise said his acting government was sending a second letter to the highest instance of justice asking for an update. He once again denied any wrongdoing himself although he is implicated.
7/9 Moise reiterated his refusal to step down or call early elections to break #Haiti's political deadlock.
8/9 "La constitution haïtienne est claire – le mandat que je suis en train de gérer ne dépend pas de moi, ce mandate est donne par le peuple" said Moise. Some might argue it is the people calling for him to end it early.
9/9 The interview took place in Moise's home in Petionville on a hillside overlooking Port-au-Prince. The president was accused of a leadership vacuum when he disappeared from public view during the early weeks of the crisis. Recently, he has gone on a media drive.
