Last summer’s deployment of a multinational force had no lasting impact on the security situation in Haiti, where the population is grappling with a new escalation of violence.
Published at 6:00 a.m.
What you need to know
Armed gangs are once again on the offensive in Haiti despite the arrival, during the summer, of a multinational force deployed in support of the national police.
The chaotic situation prevailing in Port-au-Prince forced Doctors Without Borders to suspend its activities this week until further notice, further limiting the population’s access to essential medical care.
The United States has sought to strengthen the existing mission by making it a full-fledged peace mission, but China and Russia have opposed the initiative at the United Nations Security Council.
Armed gangs, after a period of calm, went on the offensive again in several neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince, fueling a chaotic situation which this week pushed Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) to interrupt its activities in the capital. until further notice.”
On several occasions, police officers threatened to kill employees of the organization traveling through the city in vehicles, accusing them of “protecting” criminals, going, in one case, to kill two patients transported in an ambulance.
The MSF head of mission in Haiti, Jean-Marc Biquet, said Wednesday, in an interview with The Press, that staff were used to working in extreme conditions, but could not continue without assurances from the authorities.
“It’s an untenable situation,” says the manager, who is alarmed by the fact that the national police have still not reacted to these events.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY DOCTORS SANS FRONTIÈRES
MSF head of mission in Haiti, Jean-Marc Biquet
“I dare to hope that what we are seeing does not result from an official directive,” underlines Mr. Biquet, who also has to deal with the impact of Internet users unreasonably accusing MSF of helping gangs to “transport weapons or drugs.”
The aggressiveness of the police, he thinks, reflects first and foremost their frustration with the progression of the gangs, which today control 85% of the capital.
“It seems that anyone suspected of belonging to a gang must be eliminated immediately,” notes the MSF representative, who is surprised by the discretion of the forces deployed in Haiti as part of the Multinational Police Support Mission.
A first contingent of 400 agents, mainly Kenyans, was deployed during the summer. There should ultimately be 2,500, but this number is slow to materialize, notably due to a lack of sufficient financial support from the international community.
The exact role of the police officers sent as part of the mission is still not precisely defined, notes Mr. Biquet.
“In any case, they are not on the front line [des affrontements]. What is their added value? I don’t know anything about it,” said the MSF representative.
PHOTO ODELYN JOSEPH, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Makeshift camp for residents displaced by armed conflicts in Port-au-Prince.
The organization notes that the interruption of admissions to the health establishments it oversees is “a tragedy” since the offer of free care for the population in Port-au-Prince is very limited after long months of confrontation .
According to the United Nations, more than 4,000 people have been killed since the start of the year in the country. Around 700,000 people have been forced to move to escape the violence, including 20,000 in the capital in the past week.
Haitian police announced Tuesday that 28 armed gang members had been killed with the support of self-defense militias formed to protect certain neighborhoods. Corpses of those killed were then burned in the streets.
“Essential” external aid
Political tensions at the head of state complicate the situation. The Presidential Transitional Council (CPT), formed after the forced departure in February of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, dismissed his successor, Garry Conille, on November 10, after demanding the replacement of several ministers.
The new head of government, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, promised to “restore security” in the country.
PHOTO ODELYN JOSEPH, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
The new Haitian Prime Minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé
At the beginning of October, the CPT itself was weakened by a report from the Anti-Corruption Unit, which recommended prosecution of three of its members for abuse of office and payment of bribes.
François Audet, who heads the Canadian Observatory on Crises and Humanitarian Action, notes that increased external aid seems “essential” to allow the restoration of security and the possible holding of elections.
The United States argued Wednesday, during a meeting of the United Nations Security Council, that the current security mission should be transformed into a full peace mission, a stratagem likely to ensure in particular funding stable.
China and Russia refused, emphasizing that it seemed hasty to consider such a change even before the security mission in Haiti was fully deployed and had time to act.
PHOTO ODELYN JOSEPH, ARCHIVES ASSOCIATED PRESS
Police checkpoint in a street in the Pétion-Ville district of Port-au-Prince
The return to power of President Donald Trump and the Republican camp in Washington means that American support for the existing mission risks fading quickly after January, which could give an additional impetus to the gangs, notes Mr. Audet.
Part of the Haitian political elite maintains links with criminal groups and takes advantage of the current chaos, judges the analyst, who deplores the impact of their action.
“They do enormous damage to the confidence that the population can have in the remaining institutions of the country,” he concludes.
Drawing upon historical examples of successful peacebuilding efforts in post-conflict societies, what lessons can be applied to the Haitian context, and what potential pitfalls should be avoided?
Here are some open-ended questions categorized by theme based on the provided article, designed to encourage discussion and diverse viewpoints:
**I. Haiti’s Political Landscape and Security Crisis:**
* The article describes a Haitian government weakened by internal strife and facing immense security challenges. How can Haiti rebuild trust and stability given the current political climate?
* What are the root causes of the rampant gang violence in Haiti? What long-term strategies could effectively address these issues?
* The article mentions potential connections between
Haiti’s political elite and criminal groups. How can such ties be exposed and broken, and what impact would this have on security and governance?
**II. International Involvement and Aid:**
* The article discusses the potential for a UN peace mission in Haiti. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of such a mission?
* How can international aid be most effective in supporting Haiti’s recovery without exacerbating existing problems or creating dependency?
* What role should regional partners like the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) play in assisting Haiti?
**III. Haitian Agency and Future Prospects:**
* Despite the challenges, the article highlights Haitians’ resilience and demands for change. How can Haitian civil society and grassroots movements contribute to building a more just and secure future?
* What are the hopes and aspirations of ordinary Haitians for their country’s future? What concrete steps can be taken to realize
these aspirations?
* How can the international community empower Haitians to lead their own development and reconstruction efforts?
**IV. The Role of the Media:**
*
How can the media play a constructive role in covering Haiti’s crisis, avoiding sensationalism and focusing on nuanced reporting?
* What are the challenges faced by journalists working in Haiti, and how can their safety and access to information be protected?
These open-ended questions are designed to stimulate conversation, critically analyze the complexities of Haiti’s situation, and explore potential solutions from various perspectives. Remember, the goal is not to find easy answers but to encourage thoughtful dialog and a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing Haiti.
