By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-19 15:12:11
Gang members have launched an attack on Solino, a key community in Haiti’s capital that is home to many police officers and has been under siege for four days. The ongoing violence has left residents fearful of the potential spread of violence throughout Port-au-Prince.
The sound of automatic weapons filled the air in Solino on Thursday, with thick columns of black smoke rising above the once tranquil neighborhood. Panicked residents reached out to radio stations for help, pleading for the police to intervene and stop the violence.
Lita Saintil, a 52-year-old street vendor, was trapped in her house for hours by incessant gunfire before fleeing with her teenage nephew. She witnessed homes being torched and saw at least six bodies as she made her escape. Another resident, Nenel Volme, was injured by a stray bullet during the attack.
The community of Solino, which was once infested by gangs, was cleared out by a U.N. peacekeeping mission in the mid-2000s. However, the recent attack suggests a turning point for gangs, which are believed to now control up to 80% of Port-au-Prince.
The violence in Solino has led neighboring communities to set up barricades to prevent gangs from entering. Concerns are high that the violence could spill over into other neighborhoods, prompting parents to rush to schools across Port-au-Prince to pick up their children amid the chaos.
Haiti is waiting for the deployment of a foreign armed force led by Kenya to help quell gang violence, which was approved by the U.N. Security Council in October. However, a judge in Kenya is expected to issue a ruling on January 26 regarding an order currently blocking the deployment. The ongoing crisis has left residents feeling helpless and uncertain about the future.
