Haiti’s PM Urges Gangs: Drop Weapons, Recognize State Authority 

Haiti’s PM calls on gangs to drop their weapons and recognize the state’s authority. Learn about the government’s efforts to restore order and peace. 

On Wednesday, Haiti’s Prime Minister urged gangs to surrender their weapons during a national address.

“According to Gary Conille, living in Port-au-Prince has become a daily struggle for survival.”

In the initial quarter of this year, gang violence caused harm to 2,500 individuals; among them were a minimum of 82 children who lost their lives or suffered injuries as per the UN.

About 80% of the capital is believed to be under gang control.

Conille sent a message to the gangs, instructing them to surrender their weapons and acknowledge the state’s authority.

Upon assuming office in June, Conille made a commitment to provide solutions for the Caribbean nation that was facing multiple challenges such as security problems, humanitarian issues and political turmoil.

Jimmy Cherizier, a potent gang leader, alleged this month that the Prime Minister neglected to initiate negotiations with the coalition he leads.

Barbecue, also recognized as Cherizier, appealed for a nationwide discussion.

A deployment of police officers from Kenya, Chad and Benin has been established as a Multinational Security Support Mission to aid local authorities in restoring security in Haiti.

In February’s end, a series of synchronized assaults on vital state property were initiated by the gangs. They took over control of 25 police stations and fired at the primary international airport, causing it to shut down for almost three months. Additionally, they forcefully entered Haiti’s largest penitentiaries resulting in freeing more than four thousand prisoners.

In late April, the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry was prompted by the violence which also resulted in a transitional presidential council and the appointment of Conille as their new prime minister.

In late May, gang violence began to decrease as the initial group of Kenyans arrived in late June according to Diego Da Rin from the International Crisis Group.

He pointed out that, up to now, Kenyans seemed to be restricting their patrols to areas in Port-au-Prince where gangs have yet to take control.

Let’s not conduct any offensive operations for now.

He said that there have not been any offensive operations.

Over the next few months, a team of 2,500 personnel comprised of police and soldiers from Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin Chad and Jamaica will join Kenyans.

According to Conille, his primary concern is re-establishing security measures; however, he cautioned that achieving this objective will be a lengthy process. He stated that the aim is to retake any territory under gang control incrementally – from individual houses and neighborhoods up to larger communities.

The UN resolution authorized the deployment of forces for a duration of one year initially, subject to review after nine.

Conille stated that it is essential to liberate Haiti from all types of gangs who are murdering and sexually assaulting the people.

In recent years, more than half a million individuals have been rendered homeless due to gang violence as warring factions battle for territorial dominance. Among the displaced populace are women and girls who account for over 50% of those affected; they endure squalid conditions in densely populated makeshift shelters and camps.

The U.N. acknowledged on Wednesday (Jul. 17) that rape is being employed as a calculated technique to regulate women’s access to limited humanitarian assistance in most camps.

Haiti’s recently appointed government was urged by Sima Bahous, the executive director of U.N. women, to take action in preventing and addressing instances of violence.

“According to her statement, the extent of insecurity and brutality- involving sexual violence – inflicted by gangs upon women in Haiti is unparalleled. The situation needs immediate cessation,” she declared.