Former Haitian president Martelly submits candidacy amid gang violence
Michel Martelly, Haiti's former president, officially registered on October 23 as a presidential candidate for the December 13 general elections, the first in over a decade. Despite sanctions against him and escalating gang violence displacing millions, Martelly runs under the Debloke coalition. The elections face uncertainty due to security challenges affecting voter registration and turnout.
Brève Publié le (Africa/Lagos, UTC+1) · date de l'événement : 2026-10-23
Haiti’s former president Michel Martelly officially registered on October 23 as a candidate for the upcoming general elections scheduled for December 13, marking the first nationwide vote in more than ten years.
Martelly, who served as president from 2011 to 2016 and was previously a popular musician known as “Sweet Micky,” submitted his candidacy documents at the Provisional Electoral Council’s offices in Port-au-Prince, accompanied by supporters and legal representatives. He is running under the Debloke coalition, which includes former members of his previous party, PHTK.
Earlier in October, Haiti’s electoral council removed a rule that barred candidates sanctioned by foreign countries. Martelly has been sanctioned by the United States and Canada, accused of facilitating drug trafficking and sponsoring gangs.
The elections are taking place amid severe gang violence that has displaced over 1.4 million people and sees armed groups controlling around 70 percent of the capital and key provinces. This insecurity raises concerns about the feasibility of holding credible elections, especially as more than half of Haiti’s electorate lives in the most affected regions.
Recent attacks include the abduction of four Salvadoran officers from the international Gang Suppression force, prompting a military rescue operation by El Salvador. The Provisional Electoral Council has extended the candidate registration deadline to October 31, with sixteen presidential candidates registered so far.