Saturday January 1st, 218th anniversary of independence, despite threats from an armed group advising him not to come https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35595-haiti-flash-armed-individuals-oppose-the-arrival-of-the-pm-in-gonaives-on-january-1-2022.html , Prime Minister Ariel Henry, accompanied by his Chief of Staff, several ministers of his Government and the High Staff of the Haitian National Police (PNH), whose security was ensured by an imposing security system, nevertheless wanted to mark with its presence and that of its delegation, this independence day in Gonaïves.

The Head of Government attended the traditional "Te deum" at the Church of Saint Charles Borromée, officiated by the Bishop of Gonaïves, Mgr. Yves Marie Péan, in front of an audience without the faithful, where only the local authorities and the Government delegation were present.

It was on leaving the church that the Prime Minister, who was to deliver his speech to the Nation on the official platform, that he and his entourage and the agents responsible for his protection suddenly found themselves under fire from heavily armed men from Raboteau. PNH agents responded immediately as security forces protecting the Prime Minister and other members of the government evacuated Ariel Henry and the VIPs under heavy fire.

Attack outside the church :

At least one person died in hospital from his injuries and several others were injured... (no official toll has been released).

The armed clash prevented the Prime Minister from delivering his speech in Gonaives, which he hurriedly left to go to the Haitian National Pantheon Museum (Mupanah) to deliver his speech to the Nation.

The opportunity for the Prime Minister to invite all the sons and daughters of the nation to solidarity, to unity in order to do everything possible to restore the common homeland to its nobility.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry, strongly aware of the interest in reconciling all the living forces of the Nation, insisted on the need for the Haitian people to continue "to build together an unwavering chain of solidarity, unity and spirit of dialogue by celebrating, everywhere, this ancestral January 1st, a pivotal date which constitutes the basis of universal freedom proclaimed by the first black people of the world."

Speech by Prime Minister Henry :

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-35595-haiti-flash-armed-individuals-oppose-the-arrival-of-the-pm-in-gonaives-on-january-1-2022.html

SL/ HaitiLibre