Gangs tighten their grip on Haiti as peacekeeping debate drags on

RFI

21 November 2024 at 10:30 am·1-min read

Nearly one million people have fled their homes during violence in Haiti.

Violence in Haiti claimed 150 lives this week, bringing the death toll from gang warfare to over 4,000 this year. The intensifying conflict is centred on control of Port-au-Prince, where gangs dominate 80 percent of the city and hold residents hostage.

"The latest upsurge in violence in Haiti's capital is a harbinger of worse to come," said UN human rights chief Volker Turk. "The gang violence must be promptly halted. Haiti must not be allowed to descend further into chaos."

Since 11 November, thousands have fled their homes as a coalition of gangs pushes for full control of Port-au-Prince. More than 700,000 people have been displaced across Haiti due to the violence, including 20,000 this week.

"Port-au-Prince's estimated four million people are practically being held hostage as gangs now control all the main roads in and out of the capital," Turk added.

Residents, police fight back

On Tuesday, residents joined police to resist an attack by gangs led by the Viv Ansanm group in the Pétion-Ville district. At least 28 suspected gang members were killed, and hundreds of munitions were seized, said Lionel Lazarre, deputy spokesman for Haiti’s National Police.

Gunmen also attacked the nearby community of Canapé Vert.

At the UN, discussions continued this week over whether to transition the Kenyan-led multinational police force in Haiti into a UN peacekeeping mission.

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Residents, police fight back

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