Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-02-02 11:01:59
A new report released by the United Nations reveals a startling increase in violence and instability in Haiti during the last quarter of the year. The report indicates that more than 2,300 people were killed, injured, or kidnapped from October to December, marking a nearly 10% increase compared to the previous quarter.
The spike in violence was largely attributed to the death of a powerful gang leader, Andrice Isca, also known as Iskar Andrice and Iscar Andris. His death created a power vacuum that led to territorial fights in the Cite Soleil slum of Port-au-Prince. These clashes resulted in the deaths and injuries of nearly 270 people over a two-week period in late November.
The violence extended beyond the clashes in Cite Soleil, with fights occurring within the G-9 Family and Allies gang federation, as well as targeting an opposition gang coalition called G-Pep. This violence resulted in over 1,000 people being forced to abandon their homes and seek refuge in nearby areas.
The report also highlighted the devastating impact of gang violence on the population, with nearly 700 people being kidnapped during the last quarter, representing a 20% increase compared to the previous quarter. Victims of kidnapping were from various social categories, including street vendors, farmers, high-level professionals, and even children.
The report further revealed the widespread use of sexual violence by gangs, with women and girls being raped and even having videos of the assaults posted on social media to humiliate them. Children were also not spared from the violence, with more than 50 being killed in the last quarter alone.
As a result of gang violence, more than 310,000 people in Haiti have been left homeless, including 170,000 children. In total, over 8,400 people were killed, injured, or kidnapped in Haiti last year, marking a significant increase compared to previous years.
In response to the escalating violence, the report recommended that the international community accelerate the deployment of a foreign armed force in Haiti. However, despite the urgent need for intervention, it is unlikely that such a force will arrive soon, as Haiti initially requested the deployment over a year ago.
There have been obstacles to international intervention, with a court in Kenya recently barring the U.N.-backed deployment of police officers to Haiti, stating that it was unconstitutional.
The situation in Haiti is dire, and the international community must come together to address the growing humanitarian crisis and provide support to the Haitian people in their time of need.
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