Haiti: Street protests resume ahead of arrival of OAS delegation

Thousands of protesters in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince have returned to the streets demanding that the Organisation of American States (OAS) does not interfere in its embattled elections.

President Michel Martelly whose term in office comes to an end on February 7, during the week called on the OAS to help resolve the political crisis in his country.

The OAS delegation expected in Haiti on Sunday, January 31 is to lead discussions that will help the Haitians reach an agreement on the conduct of the second round of polls which have been indefinitely postponed.

But the protesters say the international organisation is playing into the hands of the outgoing President who had requested their involvement.

They also accuse the OAS of being behind all the chaos that has rocked the country since its birth.

The presidential runoff polls scheduled for January 24 was postponed indefinitely following street protests sparked by opposition candidate, Jude Celestin’s decision not to participate in the runoff over alleged fraud.

Since then, thousands of supporters of the ruling party’s candidate, Jovenel Moise, have also taken to the streets demanding the elections to go ahead.

The opposition wants a short-term interim government to take control after February 7 so as to organise elections. They are also demanding that President Martelly leaves office.

But the President who has no elected successor says he will not leave without a clear path to succession.