On Tuesday, Senator Joseph Lambert chaired the hearing session of Michel-Ange Gédéo, Director General of the National Police of Haiti (PNH), on the events of July 6 and 8 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-25055-haiti-flash-heavy-balance-of-riots.html

For nearly 8 hours, For nearly 8 hours, Michelangelo Gideon, perfectly mastering his case and never losing his calm answered the innumerable questions avoiding the pitfalls and provocations of some senators. He was accompanied for this exercise, of several members of the High State Major and Commissioner Berson Soljour, Departmental Director of the West of the PNH.

This long audition, which did not reveal any shattering revelations, allowed at most to have confirmation that there had been a problem in the transmission of orders and a loss of control of the situation during the riots due to lack of resources and manpower on the ground.

According to Senator Carl Murat Cantave, Gédon was informed on July 5, at a meeting of the Superior Council of the National Police (CSPN) of the decision of the Government to announce on July 6 the increase in fuel prices at the pump.

Responding to Senator Cantave, Michel-Ange Gédéon explained that the Government had finally informed on July 5 at the end of this meeting, the temporary suspension of this decision, which would eventually be applied later Friday during the match Belgium-Brazil.

Stressing that the reactivation of this decision taken late in the night from Thursday to Friday, had not been communicated to the PNH. Gédéon recalled that it takes at least 48 hours to mobilize the troops and put in place the planned mechanism, to manage possible overflows predictable following this decision.

Consequently, the PNH not having learned this decision after the announcement of the increase of the Price of the Fuels and in spite of the instructions of mobilization of the agents and the units passed in urgency, the PNH could count only on the regular police force already in place, the reinforcements as the relief is unable to report to duty stations, since the riots, which had already broke out blocking traffic on the streets.

This hearing was used to deny the rumors of a coup, but did not reveal how in the future will better manage the next crisis. Due to the premature departure of several senators, it was agreed that the decisions to be taken, will wait for the establishment of the next government.

Despite the lack of personnel and equipment, the PNH, which lost two of its men in the riots, was able nevertheless to strengthen the presidential security, the protection of foreign nationals, embassies and several companies and to the evacuation of several personalities.

TB/ HaitiLibre