HAITIANS have issued new demands for the resignation of President Jovenel Moise following the release of a damning report accusing him of embezzling funds meant for social projects.

He is being asked to step down after the superior court of auditors & administrative disputes said he had siphoned off money, including one million dollars earmarked to build part of a rural road.

Auditors said the payment was made twice, with the contract issued in 2014 to two firms with the same tax identification number, government patent and staff.

Mr Moise was the head of one of the construction companies, Agritans, which received a $419,240 (£329,537) advance two months before signing the contract.

“For the court, giving a second contract for the same project ... is nothing less than a scheme to embezzle funds,” the auditors said.

Some of the cash came from a Venezuelan oil programme which was meant to build roads, hospitals and other infrastructure with the billions Haiti saved by deferring payments.

Haiti now owes Venezuela $2 billion (£1.57bn).

The report also revealed that $314 million (£246.76m) assigned for the country’s 2010 rebuild of homes went instead into the pockets of politicians.

There was “a total absence of ... transparency and respect for ethics,” the report said.