Canada sanctions former Haitian leaders

DJERBA, Tunisia (AFP) — Canada on Sunday said it would impose sanctions against former Haitian president Michel Martelly and two ex-prime ministers accused of profiting from armed gangs, and announced a new aid package for the country.

The men in question “directly benefit from the work of the gangs and are associated with a system of corruption,” Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told journalists during a conference in Tunisia.

The sanctions, which will freeze any assets the men may have in Canada, target former Haitian premiers Laurent Lamothe and Jean Henry Ceant as well as Martelly.

Ottowa also announced Sunday aid worth 16.5 million Canadian dollars ($12.3 million) to help the country battle corruption and a cholera outbreak.