Haiti: Professor Victor Benoit's Party Demands Investigation After Death of Me Siffrant Michel in Delmas

The Social Democratic Rally for the Progress of Haiti (RSD) has called on the national and international press as well as judicial authorities to take up the case of the death of its secretary-general, Me Siffrant Michel, who died on the evening of January 30, 2025, in Delmas after being hit by a bullet in the heart.

Aged 53, Siffrant Michel was a school director, an executive at the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training (MENFP), a lawyer, and a teacher.

According to the same sources, the incident occurred during clashes between Haitian National Police officers and armed individuals. Hit in the heart, he died instantly.

In a statement, the RSD asserts that this death occurs in a context of persistent insecurity and denounces the lack of judicial outcomes in several similar cases. The party demands the opening of an investigation to establish the exact circumstances of the facts and identify those responsible.

Academic and Professional Background

Born on November 4, 1972, in Marchand-Dessalines, Siffrant Michel completed his primary studies at École nationale Pivert in Saint-Marc, before obtaining his certificate at Collège Don Direlan Durmelin. He then continued his education at the Institut des Philosophes Réunis, where he obtained his baccalaureate (Bac I and Bac II).

He subsequently pursued several training courses in various fields, including computer science, accounting, sociology, political science, and anthropology. He founded the Institution Mixte Siffrant Michel, a school established in his community.

Within the public administration, he was attached to the Ministry of National Education and Vocational Training and collaborated with the general directorate, notably with the current director-general Yves Roblin, on matters related to the education sector.

Politically, Siffrant Michel had been a candidate for deputy for the 3rd constituency of Port-au-Prince during the 2016 elections, under the banner of the Fusion party. He had then focused his discourse on issues of security, institutional functioning, and the living conditions of the population.

Call for Justice

In its public note, the RSD believes that the death of its secretary-general requires a swift and documented judicial response. The party demands that the competent authorities communicate on the progress of the investigation and that responsibilities be established.

The political party announces that it will continue its efforts with the relevant bodies and the media to obtain clarifications on this case, which it considers emblematic of the current security situation.

The Editorial Team