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.
Le 7 juillet marque le deuxième anniversaire de l’assassinat du président haïtien Jovenel Moïse. Dans ce Q&A, Diego Da Rin, expert de Crisis Group, explique pourquoi l’insécurité paralyse Haïti depuis cet assassinat et pourquoi certains Haïtiens se sont tournés vers des groupes d’autodéfense pour lutter contre la montée en puissance des gangs.
UN Security Council approved Kenya-led security mission to Haiti, assassination of gang leader sparked inter-gang fighting, and tensions with Dominican Republic remained elevated.
UN approved Kenyan-led multinational mission. UN Security Council 2 Oct authorised one-year Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti, to be reviewed after nine months; force will support Haitian police, including by planning and conducting joint operations, restoring security and creating conditions for free and fair elections. Kenya, who is leading mission, 7 Oct began selecting officers for mission; first group of 200 police officers 10 Oct started pre-mission training in Kenya. High Court of Kenya 9 Oct temporarily blocked deployment amid opposition pressure, 24 Oct extended ban for two weeks.
Assassination of gang leader triggered new waves of violence. Late Sept killing of gang leader from G9 coalition known as Tyson, allegedly by other members of coalition, sparked clashes in following weeks between gangs from G9 and Gpèp coalitions in capital Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. Notably, clashes 13-14 Oct erupted in La Saline district between at least three G9 gangs, trapping around 400 children and teachers in school. Members of 400 Mawozo gang operating in Croix-des-Bouquets 4 Oct set fire to Thomazeau police station, third such attack in two weeks. Attackers reportedly from Village-de-Dieu gang 18 Oct kidnapped High Council for Transition Sec Gen Antony Virginy Saint Pierre. Meanwhile, UNICEF 3 Oct warned of intensifying violence in Artibonite department, known as Haiti’s breadbasket; UN envoy 23 Oct warned “major crimes” had reached “record highs”.
Spat with Dominican Republic over canal construction continued. After Dominican Republic mid Sept shut border with Haiti over dispute about construction of canal by farmers on Haitian side of Massacre River, Dominican Republic 11 Oct partially reopened border to some commercial activity (see Dominican Republic).
In other important developments. Former senator 10 Oct pleaded guilty to role in 2021 assassination of President Moïse, while authorities 19 Oct arrested key suspect in Port-au-Prince and U.S. court 27 Oct sentenced retired Colombian army officer to life in prison. UN Security Council 19 Oct renewed sanctions regime on Haiti for one year.
[The police in Haiti] are completely outgunned by the gangs right now.
The Haitian security forces and U.S. forces present in Haiti are not able to enter the areas where most kidnapped people are held.
[The gangs in Haiti are] running out of tools to control people. They extort, but there’s only so much money that can be extorted from people that are really poor.
In this video, Frank Giustra speaks about the level of suffering Haiti is currently experiencing.
Les gangs font des ravages en Haïti, poussant l'opinion publique à accepter l'idée d'une force internationale qui aiderait à rétablir la sécurité. Les puissances extérieures ne devraient préparer une mission qu'avec le soutien solide des responsables politiques du pays, et leur engagement à former un gouvernement de transition.
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
Les guerres de territoire de plus en plus meurtrières entre des coalitions de gangs rivales révèlent la profondeur du marasme politique dans lequel est plongé Haïti. Dans ce Q&A, Crisis Group examine les liens profonds qui existent entre les deux phénomènes.
This roundtable examines the causes of violence and instability in Haiti and explores the ways in which Haitians, with the support of the international community, can take actions to overcome the current crisis.
Après l’assassinat de son président, un séisme et une forte tempête tropicale, Haïti peine à se relever. Le pays a besoin d’une aide d’urgence et les élections prévues peuvent attendre. Les puissances étrangères devraient déployer leur aide à travers la société civile, aider à enquêter sur la grande criminalité et soutenir des réformes nécessaires.
L’assassinat du président Jovenel Moïse dans d’obscures circonstances a plongé le pays dans un chaos politique. Dans ce Q&A, l’expert de Crisis Group Mariano de Alba rend compte de la situation actuelle et explique ce que les acteurs internationaux devraient faire pour aider Haïti à retrouver une certaine stabilité.
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