Haiti closes airports as protests grow

Protests have continued in the Haitian capital and other cities on the island.

The last 24 hours have seen crowds of people rampaging through the streets, stone-throwing and destroying property in reaction to what they believe is a corrupt election. The level of unrest has led to the closure of the main airports.

Many were angry that their favourite presidential candidate, popular singer Michel Martelly, did not make the run-off, which will be between the former President Preval’s protege, Jude Celestin, and a former first lady, Mirlande Manigat.

“I believe it is a shame having the whole international community spend so much money for these elections, having all these Haitian people who genuinely wanted change mobilise for the election, for things to change, but right now it is shameful, this obvious fraud, this massive theft of the will of the people. I believe that is a real shame,” said a protesting doctor.

Around 12,000 UN troops, in the country since January’s devastating earthquake, have been keeping a mostly low profile, although there are reports that several rioters were shot by UN forces. This has yet to be confirmed.

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