(4 Oct 2019) Thousands of protesters marched for miles through the Haitian capital to the UN headquarters Friday in the one of the largest demonstrations in a weeks-long push to demand the ousting of embattled President Jovenel Moïse.
At least two people were shot as police in riot gear blocked the main entrance to the airport and fired tear gas at the crowd, which responded by throwing rocks and bottles.
The unrest on Friday came after almost four weeks of protests in which 17 people have been reported killed, the economy has been largely paralyzed, two million children have been kept from going to school and badly needed aid has been suspended, especially to rural areas.
The US, United Nations and other important international players have yet to drop their support for Moïse, making it appear unlikely that he will step down, despite protests that have made gasoline, food and water scarce in some areas.
The opposition has rejected Moïse's call for dialogue and created a nine-person commission it says would oversee an orderly transition of power, with many demanding a more in-depth investigation into corruption allegations which involve the use of funds from a Venezuela-subsidized oil program.
Critics say Moïse has not looked into the former top government officials accused, including ally and former president Michel Martelly.
To protest against the alleged corruption and a shortage of basic goods, Haitians have taken to the streets in force.
Moïse's ally, former prime minister Evans Paul, also met earlier this week with the Core Group, which includes officials from the United Nations, US, Canada and France to talk about the political situation.
He has said that he believes Moïse has two options: nominate an opposition-backed prime minister or shorten the length of his mandate.
Moïse, who owned a company named in the investigation, has denied all corruption allegations.
He urges dialogue and says he will not resign.
Earlier Friday, police fired tear gas at thousands gathered under a bridge to urge the international community to withdraw support for the president. Some demonstrators were carrying guns, machetes or knives.
Some questioned why international leaders had not spoken publicly against Moïse even as he and his administration face corruption allegations.
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