By Dessalines Ferdinand, Chief Editor___________________________
The tragic assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021, remains one of the darkest chapters in Haiti’s modern political history. As the nation marks the fourth anniversary of his murder this week, a lingering question remains: Could Moïse have avoided this fate had he respected the constitutional interpretation that his presidential term ended in February 2021?
During his four years in office, President Moïse faced widespread criticism for failing to address even the most basic needs of the Haitian people. Electricity remained unreliable, corruption persisted, and insecurity worsened to alarming levels. Despite these deep and visible shortcomings, he clung to power beyond what many viewed as the end of his constitutional mandate, claiming he needed one more year—until February 2022—to implement his vision for the country.
But this begs the question: Why should the Haitian people believe that, as president, you would be able to fulfill all your election promises in just twelve months—during a deeply controversial and politically unstable period—when you previously failed to deliver even the minimum in four years?
Instead of stepping aside in February 2021 and facilitating a peaceful democratic transition, Moïse chose to prolong his stay in power. His insistence on remaining in office deepened the political crisis, triggered widespread protests, and further eroded trust in government institutions. Ultimately, this decision contributed to the tragic and violent end of his presidency. Had he respected the constitutional timeline and stepped down, it is possible—if not probable—that he would still be alive today.
A Presidency That Failed to Deliver
Moïse’s administration was marked by unfulfilled promises and chronic instability. He entered office in 2017 vowing to bring electricity to the entire country, combat corruption, and revitalize agriculture. Yet, by 2021, Haiti remained mired in poverty, infrastructure was crumbling, and the vast majority of citizens had seen little to no improvement in their daily lives.
Under his leadership, the Parliament was dissolved due to failed elections, leaving him to rule by decree for more than a year. Gang violence exploded, particularly in Port-au-Prince, where armed groups controlled entire neighborhoods. Inflation soared, public services deteriorated, and the justice system stagnated. Many Haitians lost hope not only in Moïse’s leadership but in the very idea of a functional government.
A Culture of Clinging to Power
Moïse’s refusal to relinquish power also reflected a deeper political disease in Haiti: the entrenched culture of leaders who cling to office at all costs, often ignoring constitutional norms and democratic values. From the Duvalier dictatorships to a series of provisional and elected leaders, Haitian politics has been marred by an obsession with control. Presidential mandates are treated not as time-bound responsibilities, but as open-ended reigns, often justified by technicalities or manipulated legal interpretations.
In this context, Moïse’s decision to claim an additional year was not an anomaly, it was yet another expression of this authoritarian impulse. Rather than setting a precedent for democratic governance, his actions reinforced a dangerous pattern that continues to undermine Haiti’s fragile institutions. Do not be surprised to see the actual de facto members of Haiti’s Transitional Council (CPT) attempt the same—overstaying their mandate beyond February 2026, the date they originally agreed to hand over power to a democratically elected president. This recurring habit of leaders refusing to leave when their time is up perpetuates instability and keeps the country trapped in cycles of mistrust and dysfunction.
A Legacy Built Too Late
Ironically, it was only during the final months of his life that Moïse began advocating more aggressively for structural reform. He pushed for a constitutional referendum to replace the outdated 1987 Constitution and expressed intentions to hold long-overdue elections. But by then, his legitimacy was too far gone. Few believed in his ability—or sincerity—to carry out those reforms in good faith.
Had he pursued these reforms earlier in his presidency, with transparency and national consensus, he may have stood a better chance of achieving meaningful change. But attempting to reshape the system while ruling by decree, amid widespread opposition and escalating insecurity, only deepened the perception that he was consolidating power rather than modernizing governance.
The Fatal Cost of Power
Moïse’s assassination at his private residence shocked the world and left Haiti leaderless and in disarray. While the full motives and perpetrators remain under investigation, the environment in which the attack occurred was shaped by months—if not years—of growing mistrust, power struggles, and state dysfunction. By resisting the democratic process, Moïse placed himself at the center of mounting political, economic, and security tensions. In the end, that defiance came at the ultimate cost.
Jovenel Moïse had the opportunity to walk away from a failing presidency with dignity in February 2021. He could have respected the constitutional order, preserved his life, and perhaps even laid the groundwork for future reform outside of power. Instead, he gambled on one more year to salvage his legacy—after four years of stagnation and mismanagement.
It was a risk that ultimately cost him his life. History will remember that Jovenel Moïse died before he could see the outcome of his decision, a painful lesson that sometimes, in the game of power, knowing when to walk away can save everything, even your life.
