HAITIAN President Jovenel Moise has announced changes that would allow members of the Caribbean nation’s diaspora to run for the presidency and other high-ranking offices after pressure from a two-day general strike.
Monday’s public address outlined proposed constitutional changes amid growing anger at his plans to remain in office after Sunday, when his five-year term of office ends.
The poverty-stricken country came to a standstill, the strike forcing the closure of banks, schools and businesses.
“It’s time to change it,” he admitted. “We can’t continue like this. The country is paralysed.”
His proposals are set to be announced later this week.
A constitutional referendum is due to be held in April, but unions are demanding Mr Moise resigns, arguing that his time is up.
But he insists that he didn’t take up the post until a year after former president Michel Martelly left office in February 2016 because an interim president was in post until Mr Moise was sworn in a year later.
Haiti has seen huge protests over corruption and a rise in crimes, including murder and kidnappings by street gangs.
Mr Moise promised to tackle this and said he wouldn’t allow intimidation to prevent people taking part in a general election planned for later this year.
