Former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse ©️Hector Retamal/AFP
Port-au-Prince, on July 6, 2025.-L Jovenel Moïse was cowardly killed on the night of July 6-7, 2021, in his private residence in Pilgrim 5, Petion-Ville commune, according to the first information, by a Colombian commando. He was allegedly brutally murdered and maimed. His relatives and family continue to demand justice. However, one question persists: are they really seeking justice or are they using this tragedy for political purposes?
This murder deeply upset the country. The complexity of the case lies in the fact that many people could be suspected, making it difficult to clearly identify intellectual authors. Five months after the assassination, the relatives and family of the deceased, gathered under the name of « AMI JOMO »in a note stating « no commitment, no political will to do justice to President Jovenel Moïse ».
Four years later, they continued to demand justice. Yet several former collaborators of Jovenel Moïse were summoned by the courts. Some denounce political persecution, while others point to various figures in the political landscape. His widow, Martine Moïse, who claims to have witnessed the assassination, was recently invited to attend the case, but presented reasons that were considered to be questionable in order not to appear.
In February 2024 the investigating judge Walter Wesser Voltaire, charged with the investigation, charged some 50 people, including Martine Moïse and former Prime Minister Claude Joseph. In a 122-page order, the judge claimed that Martine Moïse had conspired with Claude Joseph to assassinate the president, in order to succeed him as head of state.
The investigating judge ordered their referral to a criminal court, together with 48 other persons, for criminal association, armed robbery, terrorism, murder and complicity in murder. He pointed out that the former First Lady's statements were contradictory and undermined his credibility. The judge also requested their imprisonment at the Port-au-Prince Civil Prison, while noting that the intellectual authors and financiers of the operation have not yet been identified.
Martine Moïse, charged with investigating the murder of her husband, former President Jovenel Moïse, described the judge's decision as political persecution. She has denounced unjust arrests and continues to accuse other alleged perpetrators.
« After this heinous crime, no real will to advance justice has been demonstrated. Behind the planned insecurity, the assassins remain in power. The Haitian justice elevator seems unable to climb to the upper floors », she said.
In spite of all this, she says that the Moses family, the people and the diaspora keep hope: « The road is long. We will only be defeated if we give in to discouragement. »
Indeed, last week, Martine Moïse did not attend his hearing, citing health and safety reasons from the United States. His request for video conferencing testimony was rejected, and his absence qualified as obstruction by the prosecution. Other defendants also report procedural defects, including interrogations without a lawyer.
The investigation remains open, and the role of Martine Moïse, at the heart of this case, may evolve as new elements emerge.
W.E.
