At least 47 individuals lost their lives, and 22 others sustained injuries during a violent gang assault in a neighborhood overlooking the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, as reported by the United Nations on Monday. The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti mentioned that the casualty figures are subject to change.
The mayor of Kenscoff, Jean Massillon, revealed that armed assailants attacked the community late on Sunday, torching residences and causing fatalities. This hillside community, which overlooks the routes leading into the capital, has been targeted in around twelve armed gang attacks since the previous year, prompting thousands to flee their homes.
Despite efforts by foreign nations to bolster the country’s under-equipped police force, powerful gangs, united under a broad alliance, have entrenched their control over Haiti’s capital for years and extended their influence to nearby areas. Following the recent deadly assault, residents expressed outrage over the lack of protection from law enforcement and demanded the removal of the local police chief.
In response to the incident, the government vowed to enhance security measures, emphasizing that Kenscoff will not be abandoned and that the government’s authority will be reinstated promptly and resolutely.
The aftermath of the attack in Kenscoff was marked by grief and devastation, with survivors discovering the bodies of their loved ones strewn across the streets. Many residents expressed anguish and blamed the government for failing to prevent the tragedy, highlighting the dire need for a more effective police presence in the area.
The assault, attributed to members of the group Viv Ansanm, which was designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government last year, targeted various locations in Kenscoff, including a church and properties belonging to Dr. Jean (Bill) Pape, a renowned doctor running a healthcare NGO in Haiti.
Gang violence, particularly by Viv Ansanm, has plagued Kenscoff and the wider Port-au-Prince area, leading to the displacement of an estimated 1.5 million people in Haiti. The region has witnessed a staggering number of casualties and injuries due to gang-related activities, underscoring the urgent need for security and stability.
The recent attack coincides with the deportation of over 160 individuals to Haiti by the U.S. government following the termination of temporary protected status for Haitians. Amidst escalating violence and insecurity, concerns have been raised about the feasibility of holding general elections in Haiti, scheduled for December 13, for the first time in over a decade.