Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise has ordered an “expeditious investigation” as government and opposition politicians condemned Monday’s gun attack on the newly appointed secretary general of the Rally of Progressive National Democrats (RDNP).
Attacked by gunmen
Police said that Eric Jean Baptiste was travelling in a vehicle with his three children and two bodyguards when they were attacked by unidentified gunmen in the area of Carrefour-Feuilles, a largely residential commune in the capital.
Jean Baptiste is reported to have been wounded in the arm, but the others escaped unhurt.
“I have learned with emotion the armed attack suffered …by the Secretary General of RDNP, Mr. Éric Jean-Baptiste and I wish him a speedy recovery. Instructions have already been issued for an expeditious investigation to shed light on this aggression,” Moise said.
Prime minister also condemns
Newly appointed Prime Minister Jean-Henry Céant has “strongly condemned” the armed attack.
“I reiterate my government’s commitment to combat insecurity, whether it is ordinary or generalized,” he said.
The Office of the Secretary of State for Public Security has also “strongly condemned this attack” and announced “an investigation is already underway and the entire state apparatus is mobilized to identify and arrest these thugs who will be punished in accordance with the law.”
Director General of the Haitian State Lottery (LEH), Marie Margareth Fortuné said she hopes that the investigation will lead to the arrest of the perpetrators and wished Jean-Baptiste “a speedy recovery.”
In August, Jean Baptiste, the former leader of the Socialist Action Movement (MAS) was elected Secretary General of the RDNP party after he defeated Dr. Jean Ardouin Louis-Charles by 224-42 votes.
Political observers said that it is the first time since its creation 30 years ago, the RDNP will not be run by a member of the family of the former president Leslie Manigat.
