According to the UN, armed gangs have taken control of approximately 85 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Haitians have taken to the streets of Port-au-Prince to voice their anger against armed gangs that have control over nearly the entire capital and its surrounding areas, as well as the government’s inability to take action.
Since mid-February, Haiti has experienced a resurgence of gang violence. These gangs, which according to the United Nations control about 85 percent of Port-au-Prince, have increased their attacks in various neighborhoods that they previously had no control over, causing terror among the population.
The violent groups, now united under the coalition known as Viv Ansanm, have displaced over one million people from their homes, leading to economic freeze and mass hunger. They are also accused of extortion, mass rapes, and killings.
The transitional government, a rotating body of presidential council members appointed nearly a year ago, alongside an understaffed and underfunded UN-backed security mission, has so far failed to contain the gangs’ advances.
On Wednesday, protesters set up barriers and disrupted traffic as they marched towards the offices of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) and the prime minister before being dispersed by the police.
They criticized the authorities’ inaction, who have failed to restore security almost a year after the creation of the CPT, which was established following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
“Do you see what is happening?” protester Joseph Mackendy told the Reuters news agency during the demonstration. “Today, Haitian people will fight to be free already. We are free. Those men today cannot frighten me.”
“We can’t stand this insecurity in the country any longer,” said one protester, who wished to remain anonymous, to the AFP news agency.
“It is unacceptable that we continue to lose territory. In reality, I believe that these territories are being handed over to bandits by the authorities, who are not rising to the occasion,” he added.
The protest came days after a mass jailbreak in the central town of Mirebalais, where gangs attacked a police station and prison, freeing 529 inmates. This incident, along with another attack on the nearby town of Saut d’Eau, forced 5,981 people to flee their homes, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Many critics believe that the government’s ineffectiveness against the gangs is linked to corruption and potential collusion with their financial backers. Although the government has denied these allegations, Haiti’s authorities have a history of corruption and the violence has left the judicial system paralyzed.
The Kenyan-led Multinational Security Mission, consisting of about 1,000 police officers from six countries with UN support, has been helping the Haitian police tackle gang violence. However, the situation continues to deteriorate.
“We demand the restoration of security, free movement, and the return of our children to school,” another protester, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the AFP. “Down with the bandits! Long live peace and security. If the authorities are overwhelmed by events, they must leave.”
Since mid-February, Haiti has experienced a resurgence of gang violence. These gangs, which according to the United Nations control about 85 percent of Port-au-Prince, have increased their attacks in various neighborhoods that they previously had no control over, causing terror among the population.
The violent groups, now united under the coalition known as Viv Ansanm, have displaced over one million people from their homes, leading to economic freeze and mass hunger. They are also accused of extortion, mass rapes, and killings.
The transitional government, a rotating body of presidential council members appointed nearly a year ago, alongside an understaffed and underfunded UN-backed security mission, has so far failed to contain the gangs’ advances.
On Wednesday, protesters set up barriers and disrupted traffic as they marched towards the offices of the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) and the prime minister before being dispersed by the police.
They criticized the authorities’ inaction, who have failed to restore security almost a year after the creation of the CPT, which was established following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
“Do you see what is happening?” protester Joseph Mackendy told the Reuters news agency during the demonstration. “Today, Haitian people will fight to be free already. We are free. Those men today cannot frighten me.”
“We can’t stand this insecurity in the country any longer,” said one protester, who wished to remain anonymous, to the AFP news agency.
“It is unacceptable that we continue to lose territory. In reality, I believe that these territories are being handed over to bandits by the authorities, who are not rising to the occasion,” he added.
The protest came days after a mass jailbreak in the central town of Mirebalais, where gangs attacked a police station and prison, freeing 529 inmates. This incident, along with another attack on the nearby town of Saut d’Eau, forced 5,981 people to flee their homes, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Many critics believe that the government’s ineffectiveness against the gangs is linked to corruption and potential collusion with their financial backers. Although the government has denied these allegations, Haiti’s authorities have a history of corruption and the violence has left the judicial system paralyzed.
The Kenyan-led Multinational Security Mission, consisting of about 1,000 police officers from six countries with UN support, has been helping the Haitian police tackle gang violence. However, the situation continues to deteriorate.
“We demand the restoration of security, free movement, and the return of our children to school,” another protester, speaking on condition of anonymity, told the AFP. “Down with the bandits! Long live peace and security. If the authorities are overwhelmed by events, they must leave.”
