Haiti: Nationwide protests continue amid high tensions on February 10 /update 10

Event

Demonstrations calling for the indictment and resignation of President Jovenel Moïse continue to be reported for the fourth consecutive day in Port-au-Prince and throughout Haiti as of Sunday afternoon (local time), February 10. As of 15:30, demonstrations and roadblocks are being reported in Cabaret, Carrefour, and in the Delmas 31, Avenue John Brown, Bel-Air, Bon Repos, Kenscoff, Carrefour Feuilles, and Nazon areas of Port-au-Prince. Earlier on Sunday, demonstrations were also reported in the Place Aéroport and Delmas 30 areas of the city. Protesters have reportedly set fire to multiple buildings, including the Office de la Protection du Citoyen (OPC) government building, as well as a bank on Avenue Martin Luther King.

According to local reports, recent social unrest has disrupted supplies of fuel in the country. As of Sunday, the Haitian National Police (PNH) is reportedly running low on gasoline, hindering security forces' ability to respond to protests. In addition, several mobile phone network companies are also running low on fuel; cellular service outages and associated telecommunication disruptions cannot be ruled out in the coming days.

On Sunday morning, the US Embassy in Port-au-Prince issued a security warning, advising its personnel in the country to shelter in place and avoid all travel. Further demonstrations and significant transportation disruptions are expected to continue in Port-au-Prince and throughout the country on Sunday afternoon and in the coming days. Clashes between security forces and protesters are likely. 

Context

Violent demonstrations have been taking place on a daily basis since Thursday, February 7, with demonstrators erecting roadblocks, burning tires, and throwing rocks at security forces. On February 7, protesters reportedly pelted President Jovenel Moïse's residence with rocks. Violent demonstrations were also reported in Les Cayes (Sud department), Petit-Goâve, Cabaret, Aracahaie (Ouest department), Gonaïves, and Saint-Marc (Artibonite department). Several people have been killed in the demonstrations, with dozens more suffering injuries. On February 9, a United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) armored personnel carrier accidentally collided with a collective taxi, killing four people in the Canapé Vert area of Port-au-Prince and further exacerbating social unrest. 

Numerous demonstrations have been staged in recent months to call for greater government transparency after several public officials, including President Jovenel Moïse, were implicated in a scandal related to the alleged misuse of PetroCaribe funds. Violent protests took place in late 2018, with gunfire, roadblocks, and mob violence reported across the country.

Advice

Individuals in Haiti are advised to keep abreast of the situation, strictly avoid all protests and associated roadblocks due to the likelihood of violence, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities and their home governments (e.g. travel restrictions). Be prepared to shelter in place in the event of prolonged civil unrest (e.g. stockpile supplies of preserved foods and fresh water).