Last Updated on October 18, 2020, 5:17 AM AST by Anthony Morris
On Saturday, Haitian police fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse anti-government protesters who set fires and blocked roads in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
Several people were injured during this.
It was the latest unrest during over a year of protests calling for the resignation of President Jovenel Moïse because of corruption charges. Haiti is experiencing a political impasse without a parliament, and the country is being run by decree under Moïse.
The President appealed for unity and laying a wreath on the 214th anniversary of the death of the first independent ruler of Haiti, Jean-Jacque Dessalines on Saturday.
Many Haitians criticize the pandemic response of the government, alleging that authorities did not do enough for providing treatment to those affected, or offering economic support for those who lost their jobs because of a national lockdown which was aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the country.
The police held their protests this year, demanding better working conditions and pay.
The police exchanged gunfire with Haitian soldiers outside the national palace in February where police were protesting working conditions.
Earlier this year, a United Nations report accused Haitian police of failing to protect the population and corruption.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
