Gang war in Haiti

Gang war in Haiti
Part of crime in Haiti and the Haitian crisis (2018–present)

Clashes between 2023–2024
  Areas of gang activity
Date24 May 2020 – present[10]
(4 years, 5 months, 4 weeks and 1 day)
Location
Haiti
Status

Ongoing

Belligerents

Major gangs:

Protesters, self-defense groups, and other armed factions

 Haitian security forces

MSSMH

Support:
 United States[5][6][7]
 Canada[8][9]
Commanders and leaders
Jimmy Chérizier
Ti Greg †
Gabriel Jean-Pierre
Vitel'Homme Innocent		 Guy Philippe[16]
Jeantel Joseph[2]		 Jovenel Moïse X
Ariel Henry
Garry Conille
Frantz Elbé[17]
Rameau Normil[17]
Jodel Lesage[18]
Derby Guerrier[19]
Strength
~12,000 gang members[20]
  • Bwa Kale Unknown
  • ~6,000 BSAP members[21]
  • ~9,000 Haitian police officers[22]
  • ~1,500 Haitian soldiers[23]
  • 600 Kenyan police officers[3][24]
  • 24 Jamaican security personnel[4]
    • Gang war in Haiti
    Background
    Battles
    Attacks

    Since 2020, Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince has been the site of an ongoing gang war. The government of Haiti and Haitian security forces have struggled to maintain their control of Port-au-Prince amid this conflict,[1] with gangs reportedly controlling up to 90% of the city by 2023.[25] In response to the escalating gang fighting, an armed vigilante movement, known as bwa kale, also emerged, with the purpose of fighting the gangs.[1][26] On 2 October 2023, United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699 was approved, authorizing a Kenya-led "multinational security support mission" to Haiti.[27] Until 2024, the war was between two major groups and their allies: the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies (FRG9 or G9) and the G-Pep.[28][1][29] However, in February 2024 the two rival gangs formed a coalition opposing the government and the UN mission.[30][31]

    In March 2024, gang violence spread throughout Port-au-Prince with the goal of obtaining the resignation of unelected acting prime minister Ariel Henry, leading to the storming of two prisons and the release of thousands of prisoners. These attacks and subsequent attacks on various government institutions led the Haitian government to declare a state of emergency and impose a curfew.[32] Henry ultimately resigned and was replaced by Garry Conille.[33]

    1. ^ a b c d Dyer, Evan (8 May 2023). "In Haiti, a grassroots vigilante movement is fighting back against gang warfare". cbc. Archived from the original on 1 October 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
    2. ^ a b "Haiti threatened by armed environmental group". The New York Times. 6 March 2024.
    3. ^ a b Phillips, Tom; Côté-Paluck, Etienne (25 June 2024). "Haitians wary as Kenyan police arrive on latest US-backed mission". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
    4. ^ a b "Haitians wary as Kenyan police arrive on latest US-backed mission". The Associated Press. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
    5. ^ "US greenlights $60M in military assistance to Haiti amid rampant gang violence". Politico.
    6. ^ "Haiti Receives 10 New Armored Vehicles from United States Amid Internal Tensions".
    7. ^ "DoD Support to Haiti".
    8. ^ "Canada delivers Haiti-purchased vehicles to help Haitian National Police respond to crisis". 11 January 2023.
    9. ^ "Canadian Armed Forces members deploy to Jamaica to train CARICOM troops for Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti". 30 March 2024.
    10. ^ RNDDH 2020, p. 8.
    11. ^ "With fear and hope, Haiti warily welcomes new governing council as gang-ravaged country seeks peace". Associated Press News. 25 April 2024.
    12. ^ "Haiti's prime minister resigns as transitional council is sworn in". CNN. 25 April 2024.
    13. ^ https://www.wsj.com/world/americas/haitian-prime-minister-ariel-henry-resigns-59226b69
    14. ^ "Haiti: Garry Conille sworn in as Prime Minister". 4 June 2024.
    15. ^ Sanon, Evens. "Haiti replaces its prime minister, marking more turmoil in its democratic transition process". Associated Press. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
    16. ^ "Guy Philippe, former rebel calls for 'revolution' to oust Haiti's Henry - The Washington Post". The Washington Post. 11 February 2024.
    17. ^ a b "Haiti PM Conille touts new police chief in fight against violent gangs". France 24. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 21 June 2024.
    18. ^ Blaise, Juhakenson (20 March 2023). "Henry asks Haitian army to help police fight off gangs". The Haitian Times. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
    19. ^ Geffrard, Robenson. "General Derby Guerrier Assumes Official Command of the Haitian Armed Forces". Le Nouvelliste. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
    20. ^ Besheer, Margaret (3 July 2024). "Haiti's prime minister vows 'new era' for gang-plagued nation". Voice of America. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
    21. ^ "Letter from Panel of Experts" (PDF). United Nations Security Council. Retrieved 31 October 2024.
    22. ^ David C. Adams; Andre Paultre (3 May 2024). "Haiti's Police Are 'Begging for Help' in Battle Against Ruthless Gangs". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
    23. ^ Charles, Jacqueline (12 September 2023). "While international community is divided on Haiti military, support for an army grows". Miami Herald. Retrieved 6 July 2024.
    24. ^ Sanon, Evens; Coto, Dánica (16 July 2024). "More Kenyan police arrive in Haiti with UN-backed mission to fight violent gangs". The Associated Press. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
    25. ^ "Chaos In Haiti Escalates as Gang Violence, Fuel Shortages Threaten Access to Health Care". Partners in Health. 24 March 2023. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
    26. ^ Chéry, Ons (18 November 2022). "Bwa kale: Protests still draw people fed up in Haiti, despite risks". The Haitian Times. Archived from the original on 24 December 2022. Retrieved 7 January 2023.
    27. ^ Robles, Frances; Fassihi, Farnaz (2 October 2023). "U.N. Approves Kenya-Led Security Mission to Help Haiti Stamp Out Gangs". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
    28. ^ Da Rin, Diego (27 July 2022). "New Gang Battle Lines Scar Haiti as Political Deadlock Persists". Crisis Group. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 2 October 2023.
    29. ^ Rivers, Matt (31 July 2023). "Rare glimpse inside neighborhood at the center of Haiti's gang war". ABC. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 30 September 2023.
    30. ^ "Viv Ansanm: How a gang coalition has transformed violence in Port-au-Prince". riskbulletins.globalinitiative.net. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
    31. ^ mforinoco (30 June 2024). "A Carte Blanche for the Black Masks". Orinoco Tribune - News and opinion pieces about Venezuela and beyond. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
    32. ^ "It's not just gang violence surging in Haiti. It's a rebellion: ANALYSIS". ABC News. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
    33. ^ Grant, Will; Wright, George (12 June 2024). "Haiti forms new government as gang violence persists". BBC News.