15 Mar 2024 | 03:22 PM UTC
Haiti: Officials extend curfew in Ouest Department until March 17 amid gang violence /update 7
Officials extend curfew in Ouest Department, Haiti, through March 17 due to gang violence. Severe disruptions likely to continue.
Haitian officials have extended the curfew in the Ouest Department through at least March 17; the measure can be renewed for periods of 72 hours at a time. The nightly curfew is in effect from 19:00-05:00. The state of emergency (SoE) also remains in effect until at least April 3 in the Ouest Department. Demonstrations are not allowed for the duration of the SoE.
The extension comes as gangs continue to target government infrastructure, as well as government and security officials. On March 14, armed individuals looted and set on fire the residence of Haitian National Police's (Police Nationale d'Haiti, PNH) Director General Frantz Elbe in Santo, a village in Croix-des-Bouquets. A few hours before this incident, a fire was also reported at the National Penitentiary in the capital, where a mass prison break was reported March 2. While the cause of the fire at the penitentiary remains unconfirmed, local reports suggest it could be a result of gang activity. Several fires have also been reported in the Bellevue area of Port-au-Prince on March 14; the Kraze Barye gang has reportedly perpetrated these. Similar looting and arson attacks are likely to continue in the coming days, especially as gangs largely outnumber PNH officers and seem to focus on protecting a few critical hotspots, such as the airport.
Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced late March 11 that he will resign as soon as a transition council is established. However, some political parties have already rejected plans for a transition council in the country. Among those opposing the plans are political allies and former senators Guy Philippe and Jean Charles Moise; the former recently served a sentence for money laundering in the US and was one of the leaders of a rebel movement that ousted Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 2004. While Henry remains caretaker prime minister, his return to Haiti remains uncertain.
Several embassies continue efforts to evacuate staff from Port-au-Prince as gang violence and instability are likely to persist through at least late March. The US, Germany, and the EU missions are among those reducing diplomatic activities in the country. The US embassy remains operational with reinforced security around the embassy perimeter in the Tabarre area. As the security crisis and political uncertainty persist, several countries may limit their diplomatic activities in Haiti in the coming weeks.
Shortages of essential goods, including food and medicine, will likely be exacerbated in the coming days as the Caribbean Port Services (CPS) has indefinitely ceased operations at the main seaport of Port-au-Prince since March 7. This took place after armed intruders breached and looted the warehouse area of the terminal. The facility is the country's main shipping container terminal, handling the majority of maritime freight that reaches the capital.
Gang violence will almost certainly continue causing disruptions to ground transport, business operations, diplomatic services, and flight operations nationwide. Gang violence is likely to continue overwhelming security forces and causing major disruptions and instability, especially in and around the capital. Gangs may make further attempts to take full control of Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP). Medical facilities will likely continue to face major challenges to keep operating due to shortages of medical staff and supplies.
Avoid areas affected by significant gang violence. Maintain heightened vigilance if operating in Port-au-Prince. Prepare for disruptions to ground transport, flights, business operations, and diplomatic services. Consider making alternative arrangements for time-sensitive travel. Leave the area immediately if violence erupts nearby; if unable to do so, take refuge in a secure building until it is safe to depart. Adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities and your home government.
The recent escalation in violence began Feb. 29 and worsened during Henry's visit to Kenya for negotiations regarding a UN-backed multinational security deployment in Haiti. Gang leader Jimmy Cherizier claimed that attacks intended to target government officials, including PNH Chief Frantz Elbe, in an attempt to dissuade Henry from returning to the country.
The PNH has been under growing pressure, especially after gangs attacked the National Penitentiary in the capital and a prison facility in Croix-des-Bouquets, freeing thousands of inmates on March 2. The G9 gang has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on critical infrastructure, and its leader is demanding the immediate removal of Henry. Gang attacks have targeted police facilities, including the police academy, as well as the central bank, the national soccer stadium, and several government buildings.
The curfew and SoE measures have been in place since March 3 but appear to have resulted in no improvement in the security situation, as officials lack the capacity to enforce these measures. Due to the ongoing violence, the US and Canadian governments have urged their citizens to leave Haiti as soon as possible; however, options to do so remain extremely limited.
Henry's resignation was announced after officials from the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) attended an emergency meeting in Jamaica to discuss a political transition in Haiti. It remains unclear when a transition council will be in place. The council will likely be made up of two observers and seven voting members, including representatives from Haiti's civil society, political parties, and the private sector.
