25 Apr 2024 | 05:53 PM UTC
Haiti: Gang violence, heightened security to continue through at least early May despite establishment of new transitional counsel on April 25 /update 15
Gang violence, tight security measures to continue in Haiti until at least early May. Despite the transitional council swear-in on April 25.
Gang violence and heightened security measures are likely to continue in Haiti through at least early May, following the official resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry and the establishment of a transitional council on April 25. Officials are maintaining increased security measures in Port-au-Prince, especially in the surroundings of key government sites, including the perimeter of the National Palace site and the Champ de Mars area. The inauguration ceremony for the new transitional council is at the Villa d'Accueil in the Musseau area. The council's establishment is unlikely to result in a decrease in violence in the short term, and attacks targeting officials or government buildings cannot be ruled out. Multiple gunfights broke out in the Champ de Mars area in recent days, and several gang leaders reportedly voiced their anger regarding being excluded from the process. The latest transition of power may also trigger demonstrations, especially in central areas of the capital and other urban centers nationwide.
Henry's remaining cabinet chose Michael Patrick Boisvert, the Economy and Finance Minister, as the interim prime minister. However, the newly installed council will be tasked with naming its own new prime minister and cabinet; a date for this remains unclear at this time. The nine-member council is also expected to organize elections before ending its non-renewable term in February 2026.
A state of emergency (SoE) remains in effect in the Ouest Department through at least May 3; further extensions are possible as gangs continue to overwhelm the Haitian National Police (Police Nationale d'Haiti, PNH). Public demonstrations are prohibited for the duration of the SoE. Political instability and severe transport, business, and diplomatic services disruptions due to gang activity will likely continue in Haiti, especially in the capital and surrounding areas in the Ouest Department.
Port disruptions continue, with a gang blockade halting operations at the Varreux Terminal, which supplies most of the country's oil products, since April 22. The Caribbean Port Services (CPS) also indefinitely suspended operations at the Port-au-Prince International Marine Terminal after gang members breached the facility and looted containers. Existing shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies are likely to become exacerbated as the port and airport closures continue.
Throughout April, violent incidents have mostly affected downtown Port-au-Prince, including Champ de Mars and the National Palace site. Gang-related violence, including murders, looting, and arson attacks, has also taken place in the areas of Tabarre, Christ-Roi, Vivy Mitchell, Delmas, Metivier, and Petionville areas, among others.
Since March, several diplomatic missions have evacuated non-essential staff from Port-au-Prince amid gang violence and political instability, including those of the US, Canada, Germany, and the EU. The US embassy remains operational, and the US military has reinforced security at the facility. Other countries may also evacuate their diplomatic staff from Haiti or reinforce their security arrangements, depending on the security environment.
Air Travel Disruptions
Major flight disruptions will likely continue at airports across Haiti, including at Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP) and Cap-Haitien International Airport (CAP). The capital's PAP has postponed its reopening for commercial flights through at least May 2; the date may be postponed further depending on the security situation. Commercial airlines have suspended flights serving PAP, resulting in limited options for leaving the country. However, Haiti-based Sunrise Airways (S6) has resumed some commercial flight operations via CAP. The Canadian and US governments have reiterated their advice to their respective citizens not to travel to Haiti and to leave as soon as feasible; civil aviation authorities in the Dominican Republic have recommended that airlines avoid all services to PAP.
Consider deferring travel to Haiti. Avoid areas affected by significant gang violence. Maintain heightened vigilance if operating in the Port-au-Prince area. 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.
Haiti's security situation began to deteriorate further with a surge in gang violence in late February as Henry traveled to Kenya for negotiations regarding a UN-backed multinational security deployment in the country. Gang leaders assert that the attacks target government officials, including PNH Chief Frantz Elbe, in an attempt to dissuade Henry from returning to the country.
The SoE has been in place since early March but does not appear to have resulted in any tangible improvement in the security situation, as officials lack the capacity to enforce these measures. A nightly curfew measure was also in effect through April 24, but the measure has not been renewed as of April 25. Overall, almost 95,000 of the capital's residents were displaced solely between March 8 and April 9; most of these residents had already been displaced previously due to violence.
