The transitional prime minister of HaitiGarry Conille, declared a State of Security Emergency in 14 municipalities controlled by gangs, just after the first clash between police officers from Kenya and criminal militias.
The skirmish occurred on Wednesday when agents sent to Haiti for the Multinational Security Support Mission exchanged fire with the gang members, while they were patrolling in armored vehicles near the National Palace.
According to the newspaper The Haitian FacteurThe well-known gang known as 5 Seconds was involved in the fight with the Kenyan agents, although no further details have been released.
Kenyan policemen
More than 600 Kenyan police officers have arrived in the Caribbean country to help the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) establish order and security in Haiti, a territory ravaged by a violent cycle since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021.
Meanwhile, the interim prime minister reiterated that security is one of the priorities of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), since solving this problem, he estimated, would reduce the impact on the economy and on Haitian families.
Without referring to a possible dialogue, Conille called on the gang members to lay down their arms and recognize the authority of the State, reported an office from the agency Latin Press.
In late March, a report by the United Nations Human Rights Office indicated that more than 1,500 people had been killed in Haiti by then, victims of violence by gangs fighting for control of the country and who dominate much of Port-au-Prince, the capital.
The report also noted that dozens of the victims died after being lynched by so-called self-defense brigades.
Against corruption
In turn, the authorities in Port-au-Prince have placed the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) in charge of investigating five former ministers of the government of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
ULCC agents are targeting former heads of the Interior, Public Works, Foreign Relations and Cults, Social Affairs and Diaspora, the newspaper revealed. The New Yorker.
Elections 2025
As Haiti begins to talk about general elections scheduled for 2025, 93% of citizens distrust the electoral system, according to a survey by Policité and Internews.
The purpose of the survey was to understand the perspectives and interest of Haitians in politics and to identify the factors that hinder participation in the popular consultation, abounded Latin Press.
93% of respondents confirmed their lack of confidence in the upcoming elections, while only 2% said they trust the organization of the elections.
According to Policité and Internews, only 29% of those surveyed wish to exercise their right to vote. Of this total, 13% are certain of doing so and 16% are more or less unsure.
Meanwhile, 21% are planning to vote “depending on the security situation” and 20% say they will not vote under any circumstances, according to the survey.
According to the survey, the most pressing needs of Haitians include security (89% of respondents), accessibility to health services (70.3%) and employment opportunities and job security (72.4%).
