04 Apr 2024 | 11:03 AM UTC
Haiti: Officials extend state of emergency through May 3 as gang violence continues /update 12
Haitian officials extend state of emergency through May 3 as gang violence continues. Nightly 19:00-06:00 curfew extended until April 10.
With gangs continuing to overwhelm the Haitian National Police (Police Nationale d'Haiti, PNH), authorities have extended the state of emergency (SoE) in the Ouest Department through May 3. Additionally, the nightly curfew across the department will remain in effect between 19:00-06:00 through at least April 10; further extensions are likely. Officials have banned public demonstrations in Ouest Department 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 through at least mid-April. Violence continues to affect mainly areas within and around Port-au-Prince. Multiple shooting incidents have been reported in downtown Port-au-Prince in early April, especially in the Champ de Mars area and around the National Palace site. On April 3, the National Library in Port-au-Prince was reportedly looted, putting many historical documents at risk. In early April, multiple violent incidents were also reported along routes leading to Port-au-Prince's Toussaint Louverture International Airport (PAP), and in the Tabarre, Christ-Roi, Vivy Mitchell, Delmas, Metivier, and Petionville areas, among others. Looting and vandalism also affected several faculties of the State University of Haiti (RUEH) on April 1, including the faculties of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, Applied Linguistics, and Sciences. On March 29, suspected gang members also reportedly carried out arson attacks in the Digneron Industrial Park in Croix-des-Bouquets. Overall, more than 53,000 of the capital's residents were displaced in March; most of these residents had already been displaced previously due to violence.
Three weeks after caretaker Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation, the establishment of a transitional presidential council is facing delays. Gangs will likely continue to fight for control over key buildings and strategic areas in the capital and surrounding areas. The eventual establishment of a council is unlikely to result in a decrease in violence in the short term, but could eventually facilitate foreign deployments.
Disruptions are continuing as Caribbean Port Services (CPS) indefinitely suspended operations at the facility after gang members breached the port and looted containers. Existing shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies could become exacerbated should the port closure become protracted.
Several diplomatic missions evacuated 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 evacuate their diplomatic staff from Haiti if the security crisis persists.
Travel Disruptions
Major flight disruptions will likely continue at airports across Haiti, including at PAP and Cap-Haitien International Airport (CAP). Several airlines have suspended flights serving Haiti, resulting in limited options for leaving the country; however, Haiti-based Sunrise Airways (S6) has resumed some commercial flight operations between CAP and Miami International Airport (MIA). 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.
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 arrived in 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. Henry has since remained outside of Haiti and announced late March 11 while in Puerto Rico that he would resign once a transitional presidential council was established and an interim successor and new cabinet were chosen. An exact date for the establishment of the nine-member transitional presidential council remains unclear at this time.
The curfew and SoE have been in place since early March but do not appear to have resulted in any tangible improvement in the security situation, as officials lack the capacity to enforce these measures.
