A disastrous earthquake hit Haiti in 2010, leaving the country in deep distress. Reconstruction failed to address the systemic problems underlying its extreme socio-economic inequality and endemic political and gang violence. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 and a bout of natural disasters soon thereafter, Haiti’s humanitarian plight has gone from bad to worse. Crisis Group aims to shed light on the sources of Haiti’s strife and supports core reforms to the security sector and state that could pave the way for credible elections, improved security and clean government.
Read this month's CrisisWatch Conflict in Focus entry on Haiti here.
Con el primer ministro interino fuera del país, las pandillas haitianas han formado un frente unido para controlar lugares clave y disuadir el despliegue de una misión internacional de seguridad. En estas preguntas y respuestas, el experto de Crisis Group, Diego Da Rin, evalúa si un nuevo gobierno puede ser una solución adecuada.
Gangs launched coordinated attacks across Port-au-Prince, targeting critical sites, freeing over 4,700 inmates and forcing thousands to flee; outside pressure yielded agreement to form new govt.
Chaos erupted in capital as rival gang coalitions launched coordinated attacks. Gang violence dramatically escalated after G9 and Gpèp rival gang coalitions late Feb joined forces and launched coordinated offensive in capital Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. Gangs throughout March targeted critical sites, including police stations, ports, airport and govt buildings; 18 March attacked several upscale neighbourhoods in Pétionville commune, killing at least fifteen. In response, mobs 20 March killed at least two suspected gang members in Pétionville commune. Police 26 March reported deaths of seventeen suspected gang members, including leader of Delmas 95 gang, since 29 Feb. Violence displaced thousands and forced tens of thousands more to flee Port-au-Prince amid ever-worsening humanitarian crisis.
Plan to form transitional council moved forward after initial difficulties. Several political parties 5 March agreed to create transitional govt led by rebel leader and ex-convict Guy Philippe, who has ties to gangs. Outside partners subsequently stepped up efforts to form more representative govt as foreign support for Henry collapsed. Leaders from CARICOM (body of Caribbean nations) and other countries 11 March called emergency meeting in Jamaica, same day announced transitional government comprised of seven-member presidential council and two non-voting civil society representatives would be established; council tasked with appointing new PM, creating path toward elections and preparing for Kenya-led security mission. Henry that night announced he would resign after council is installed. Formation initially held up by disagreements, though council members 27 March issued first statement, announcing preparations for their installation and pledging to devise plan that can restore order. Meanwhile, G9 leader Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Chérizier 29 March said he would consider laying down weapons if gangs are included in peace talks.
Kenya halted plans to deploy security mission. Kenyan govt 12 March paused plans to deploy police in Haiti, citing changes to conditions on the ground. Kenyan President Ruto next day said Nairobi would resume preparations when presidential council is installed. Only $10.8mn has been deposited in UN-managed trust fund to cover mission, estimated to cost $600mn.
If [the Haitian gangs] continue to blockade the ports and the capital’s airport, the lack of supplies and food could seriously worsen the humanitarian crisis.
Countries should implement all necessary measures to curb the illegal arms to Haiti, including inspections at their own ports within their own borders.
The situation [in Haiti] is an emergency … If the gangs continue with these large-scale attacks, they could control all of the capital in a matter of days or weeks.
The gangs are showing they can bring Haiti to its feet whenever they want.
Absent a robust external mission that would be deployed very soon, we are facing quite a tragic scenario in Haiti.
This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard speaks with Crisis Group experts Diego Da Rin and Renata Segura about a new offensive by gangs in Haiti, efforts to form a transitional government and prospects for a Kenya-led police mission to restore order.
This week on The Horn, Alan is joined by Crisis Group’s Haiti expert Diego Da Rin and Africa Director Murithi Mutiga to discuss the surging gang violence in Haiti and how it affects the prospects of a Kenya-led mission to restore order in the country.
El Consejo de Seguridad de la ONU ha aprobado el despliegue de una fuerza liderada por Kenia, para ayudar a luchar contra las pandillas criminales que la policía no ha podido someter por sí sola. La misión tendrá que actuar con cautela –tanto en la planificación previa como una vez sobre el terreno– para sortear los retos que encuentre en su camino.
El 7 de julio se cumple el segundo aniversario del asesinato del presidente haitiano Jovenel Moïse. En estas preguntas y respuestas, el experto de Crisis Group, Diego Da Rin, explica por qué la inseguridad se ha apoderado de Haití desde el magnicidio y por qué algunos haitianos han recurrido a grupos de autodefensa para enfrentar el creciente poder de las pandillas.
In this video, Frank Giustra speaks about the level of suffering Haiti is currently experiencing.
Las bandas criminales están causando estragos en Haití, lo que ha llevado a la opinión pública a aceptar la idea de una fuerza internacional que ayudaría a restaurar la seguridad. Los poderes extranjeros deberían organizar esta misión solo en caso de contar con un apoyo sólido por parte de los políticos del país, y con sus promesas de conformar un gobierno de transición.
This week on Hold Your Fire!, Richard Atwood speaks with Renata Segura and Diego Da Rin, Crisis Group’s Latin America experts, about whether foreign forces can help tackle Haiti’s spiralling gang violence, political gridlock and latest cholera outbreak.
Foreign Troops Might Be the Least Bad Option
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