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As violence in Haiti increases, there is talk of whether Port-au-Prince may fall entirely to the gangs.  The Multinational Security Support Mission, deployed too late and with two few members, has been unable to bring stability in Port-au-Prince or beyond.  Despite this, deportation of Haitians to Cap-Haitien continue.  Doing so has overwhelmed the city and put the lives of deportees at risk regardless of whether they stay, travel on roads frequented by bandits, or transit through Port-au-Prince which is primarily controlled by gangs.  Haitians, not for the first time, feel abandoned by the international community.

When the United States deports Haitians, they are sent to Cap Haitien in the north.  Women and children are afraid to take the road to Port-au-Prince where they may be raped by bandits.  Port-au-Prince remains extremely dangerous to transit though given that the vast majority of the city, despite the presence of a multi-national security force, is controlled by gangs.   Many deportees sleep rough in Cap Haitien knowing that their lives are at at risk if they leave.  The Cap Haitien municipality  does not have the resources to support them.  Faith based groups, a labor union, and several Haitians are sueing the United States over these deportations which were a  human rights violation under the Biden Administration just as it is under the Trump Administration now.  View the full article linked and below for more information. 

In recent days, 1,200 Haitians have been displaced by gang violence.  The Kenyan-led security force is under-staffed and under-equipped for pushing back gangs let alone holding cleared neighborhoods.  Even if they could, it is a temporary measure until there is an effective, accountable government in place.  So far the Transitional Presidential Council is remarkable only for the level of infighting.  Residents of contested neighborhoods lack food, water, and health care.  Reaching them is challenging for even the most professional humanitarian organisations.  Despite all this, other countries continue to send flights of deportees to Haiti which is reprehensible.  Read the fhe full article linked and below for more information. 

The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that globally no one is held to account in 80 percent of cases where journalists are targeted.  Haiti was included due to the aggression of criminal gangs who have destabilised already weak administrative and judicial institutions,  However, the targeted killing of journalists is not new in Haiti.  Jean Dominique, immortalised in a documentary entitled "The Agronomist", was murdered in 2000.  Israel was included for the at least 128 journalists and media workers killed amongst over 40,000 civilian casualties.  Journalists in Haiti, Gaza, and other conflict- affected countries around the world are heroes who deserve both respect and protection. The full Al Jazeera article is linked and below. 

At long last, a Kenyan advance team of police officers arrived in Haiti.  It is hoped the first security forces will arrive soon after.  With sufficient support, the Kenyan-led multi-national force (MSS) could eventually reach 2,500 security personnel. As 80% percent of of Port-au-Prince ia controlled by gangs and insecurity has metastasized in other departments as well, the MSS has a very challenging task ahead.  One hopes this will be the last foreign intervention in Haiti - but the seeds of insecurity will remain until the Haitian government invests in its own people and can maintain security.  The full article by Miami Herald journalist Jacqueline Charles is linked and follows. 

In the past, Haitian politicians used and had influence over gangs.  Now the gangs hold the power, controlling 95% of Port-au-Prince as well as the Artibonite and Ouest departments. Gangs charge "fees" for using national roads, kidnap and have attacked government and civilian infrastructure, including the national airport, national palace, and a prison which freed 4,000 criminals, swelling their ranks.  Embassies and international NGOs are evacuating their staff leaving Haitians feeling abandoned when most in need.  A transition council is being formed and the Kenyan-led Multi-National Securtiy Support Mission (MSS) remains pending.  More information on the increasingly grim situation follows in a New Humanitarian piece by Daniela Mohor. 

The much-awaited Kenyan-led multi-national force is nowhere to be seen - and even if it were, it may not be enough to stop the chaos.  Gangs control 80% of Port-au-Prince, have attacked the airport, and are banding together to force for the resignation of Ariel Henry.  According to a Miami Herald article by Michael Wilner and Jacquline Charles, the U.S Government has asked Henry to move forward with the formation of a transitional council — a mechanism that would involve the appointment of an interim prime minister to replace Henry, compelling his resignation. The situation has been urgent for a long time but the lack of action may result in the toppling of the government and the overwhelming of the Haitian National Police.  A New Humanitarian article by Daniela Mohor below provides more information the humanitarian impact. 

No matter how bad insecurity ever has been, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has always maintained an important presence in Haiti.  With approximately eighty percent of Port-au-Prince being under gang control, the ICRC must maintain constant communication with many of the 300 gangs and manage their ever-shifting alliances in order to provide assistance to the most vulnerable.  In response to Haiti's worsening situation, ICRC intends to increase its humanitarian efforts including by expanding training for emergency health staff, ambulance services, and support to over-burdened health care facilities in insecure neighborhoods.  The full BBC article by Vanessa Buschschlüter is linked and follows. 

Unchecked violence continues to spread like a cancer in Haiti, with over 10,000 displaced from their homes in the north.  Suspected gang members attacked a police station in Saut-d'Eau and the Zanmi Lasante (Partners in Health) Facility in Mirebalais has also been attacked.  The Kenyan-led peacekeeping force is still more idea than reality and despite the violence, the United States continues to deport Haitians.  The peacekeepers will face a much worse security situation than any previous peacekeeping force.  More information follows in the Reuters article below. 

Kenya's Foreign Ministry said his country is ready to lead a multinational force into Haiti, which is experiencing a surge in violence between police and gangs.  During a time when so few countries are willing to get involved in Haiti's increasingly desperate situation, it is refreshing to see a country, and one that is not even remotely close to Haiti geographically, offer to take a leadership role.  The proposed 1,000 police officers would help train and assist the Haitian National Police in restoring security.  The deployment would still require a U.N Security Council mandate and formal approvals in Kenya.  The brief article is linked and follows, updates will be posted in comments.