Let’s Talk About Martine Moise

Do You Know the Haitian First Lady Who Survived a Double Assassination Attempt?

Olivia Meadows
3 min readSep 21, 2021
image courtesy of Guyana Chronicle

The President of Haiti, Jovenal Moise, and his wife were victims of an overnight attack at their residence in Port-Au-Prince Haiti on July 7, 2021.

Martine Moise survived the assassination; her husband was not so fortunate.

Prior to the night of the incident, President, Jovenel Moise had been labelled an easy target by his own security team in conjunction with a band of former Columbian soldiers who carried out the mercenary act.

The Haitian police investigation team report,

During the attack his security team showed no intention of defending the Head of State, let alone the presidential family.

Martine Moise, wife of slain Haitian President told NBC News, “the men who assassinated my husband also believed they had killed me.”

In her description to NBC the First Lady recalls the horrifying details the night of July 7 when the assassins erupted into her home, shot her, and then killed her husband, the former President of Haiti.

Martine goes on to say how she is still in disbelief that the band of assassins got past the 30 to 50 security team members who were positioned at their presidential residence during the attack, and that none of the security team as much as received a paper cut during the encounter.

The Haitian National Police have since arrested 18 Columbians and three Haitian Americans, including Florida resident, Emmanuel Sanon, who have all been linked with the assassination.

Conditions in Haiti have been persistently tensing and seemingly have gotten worse since the July 7th assassination of their Head of State.

Haiti, who shares an island with the Dominican Republic, has been no stranger to corruption, greed, and political controversy.

As the first independent black republic in the world, Haiti achieved their freedom by defeating Napoleon and the French colonists who were using slave labor to harvest the islands rich supply of imports.

Since the 18th century Haitian Revolution led by Toussaint Louverture, the country has been slammed by tariffs set by the French as repayment for the lives lost during Haiti’s revolt against Napoleon’s army, that to this date leave the country poor and desolate.

Once known as the Pearl of the Antilles, Haiti has long been forgotten by African Americans and the African diaspora for their role in the political conquering of the European government.

No one talks about Haiti’s long-standing achievement as the only country that hails a successful slave rebellion led by Dutty Boukman- a voodoo priest who held a pre-ceremonial ritual many say empowered the soldiers the eve of the Haitian Revolution victory.

No one dare mention Toussaint Louverture, or Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who were both generals and prominent leaders of the Haitian Revolution that overthrew Napoleon who freed their country from European colonizers on August 21, 1704, through Jan 1, 1804.

The history books just seem to have forgotten this small but detailed information.

As Martine Moise continues to recover from the assassination and the loss of her husband, the former First Lady knows her value to Haiti will not be in vain. Reports say she may consider a bid for the President someday.

Having female leadership in a country with deep seated challenges won’t be easy, but it can be done. Good luck, Martine.

Martine Moïse, Haitian President’s Widow, Recounts Assassination — The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Killers left me for dead: Slain Haiti leader’s wife Martine Moise | Crime News | Al Jazeera

Haitian First Lady Martine Moïse Says She’s Considering Running for President (businessinsider.com)

Dutty Boukman | Military Wiki | Fandom (wikia.org)

The Haitian Revolution 1804–1805 (brown.edu)

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