Kenyan Police Clash with Gangs in Port-au-Prince Amid Haiti Security Mission

Kenyan police confront gangs in Port-au-Prince during their Haiti mission aimed at restoring order and stability. Explore the latest developments in the security operation.

On Thursday, Kenyan police engaged in a gunfight with gangs in Port-au-Prince as they worked to secure control of a building located within an area dominated by the Viv Ansanm gang, led by Jimmy Chérizier, also known as Barbecue.

The building, formerly home to the offices of the Haitian National Police, was evacuated shortly after Barbecue’s gang seized control of the entire Delmas 2 neighborhood three years ago.

In late November, Kenyan officers from the U.N.-supported Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) successfully regained control of the building. However, they are still under constant attack from members of the Viv Ansanm gang based in Delmas 2, just a few meters away from the residence of their infamous leader, Chérizier.

When Kenyan police arrived in Haiti earlier this year as part of a U.N.-supported mission to address gang violence, there was great optimism.

However, due to insufficient funding and personnel for 400 Kenyan police officers and understaffed departments, gangs now control 85% of the capital.

The crisis has intensified following the arrival of the international police forces. The primary international airport shut down for a second time this year after gangs fired at commercial flights in mid-November, injuring a flight attendant.

Armed individuals are targeting previously peaceful communities in an attempt to seize control of the entire capital. They are exploiting political turmoil, which resulted in the sudden removal of the prime minister earlier this month.

Every day, as Kenyans navigate the streets of the capital in armored vehicles, they encounter attacks from various gangs across different parts of the city.

In a recent announcement, the mission led by Kenya acknowledged that they are “aware of the challenging road ahead.”

However, it pointed out that continuous joint patrols and operations have ensured the security of certain communities and compelled gangs to alter their methods of operation.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Godfrey Otunge, the Kenyan Commander of the Multinational Security Support Mission, stated that phase two of the operation would commence before Christmas.

“The gangs’ days are numbered, and we will pursue them relentlessly,” Otunge stated.

In the second week of November alone, reports indicated that at least 150 people had been killed in the capital and 20,000 were forced to flee their homes.

According to the U.N., over 4,500 people have been reported killed in Haiti so far this year.