Since the abduction of Pierre Louis Opont, former President of the Provisional Electoral Council (CEP), by the notorious Kraze Baryè gang two months ago, a sense of distress and uncertainty continues to linger. Despite hopes for a positive resolution, Opont remains in the clutches of this criminal group, thereby exposing the significant weaknesses in the region’s security landscape.

The impact of this captivity is keenly felt within Opont’s family. His wife, Marie Lucie Bonhomme, who is herself a journalist, wears the marks of anxiety and sadness on her face. What began as a desperate search to locate her husband has transformed into an unrelenting emotional ordeal. Pierre Louis Opont’s personal narrative transcends familial boundaries, resonating with all those who have crossed paths with him.

However, the ramifications of this captivity stretch far beyond the confines of family ties. It lays bare an ongoing atmosphere of insecurity in the region, underscoring the authorities’ incapacity to ensure the safety of their citizens. Despite efforts to negotiate Opont’s release, negotiations seem to have stalled, leaving loved ones in a state of powerlessness and dismay in the face of this intricate situation.

This drama also ripples through the former President’s broader social circle. His extended family, in search of answers to this abduction, find themselves engulfed by the waiting game and prevailing uncertainty. These two months of agonizing anticipation have cast a cloud of deep sorrow and disillusionment among those close to him, who yearn for the reunion and liberation of their cherished one.

An important march took place on Sunday in the streets of Pétion-Ville, bringing together journalists and media owners who demanded the immediate release of Pierre Louis Opont. The former president of Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council had been held hostage for 26 days, causing great concern and unprecedented mobilization in the country.

The march, organized by SOS Journalistes, an organization led by senior journalist Joseph Guyler C. Delva, saw the participation of prominent figures from the Haitian media scene. Among them were Marvel Dandin, Lilianne Pierre Paul, Léopold Berlanger, Jacques Desrosiers, and many others.

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The protesters marched through the streets of Pétion-Ville, waving signs and chanting slogans calling for the liberation of Pierre Louis Opont. The atmosphere was filled with determination and solidarity as the crowd expressed their support for the hostage’s family.

In a poignant message delivered during the demonstration, journalist Marie Lucie Bonhomme, the wife of Pierre Louis Opont, made a direct appeal to her husband’s captors. She pleaded for a humanitarian act by urging them to immediately release Mr. Opont, emphasizing the devastating impact his detention has on his family and Haitian society as a whole.

Citizens are preparing to organize a peaceful march this Sunday to demand the release of Pierre Louis Opont, co-owner of the television network Pluriel, who has been held captive for over 20 days. This initiative is led by SOS Journalistes, an organization dedicated to protecting the rights of journalists, and aims to express unwavering solidarity with the hostage and his family.

Joseph Guyler C. Delva, Secretary-General of SOS Journalistes, stated that this peaceful march was a cry of solidarity for Pierre Louis Opont and his family. He emphasized the importance of protecting journalists and ensuring their freedom of expression, as they play a crucial role in society by providing objective information and exercising their duty to hold public authorities accountable.

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The captivity of Pierre Louis Opont has sparked outrage among the journalistic community and human rights defenders.

Sunday’s peaceful march is a call to action for the Haitian authorities to take immediate steps to secure the release of Pierre Louis Opont. The organizers of the march also hope that this event will draw international attention to the precarious situation of journalists in Haiti and the need for concerted action to ensure their protection.

Journalists, representatives of civil society, and engaged citizens are expected to attend the march in Pétion-Ville in large numbers. They will gather to express their support for Pierre Louis Opont and to demand that the Haitian authorities do everything possible to ensure his safe release.