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Situation in Haiti
- Prime Minister Gary Conille was fired by the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) on 11 November, along with his government. Discussions have been held on the legality of the dismissal.
- Gary Conille is succeeded by Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. Fils-Aimé and his government were inaugurated on 16 November.
- A new attack by the “Viv ansanm” coalition was launched in Port-au-Prince on 19 November. The attack focused on Pétion-Ville and neighbouring areas, and had been announced on social media by gang leader and spokesperson of “Viv ansanm” Jimmy Chérizier, aka Barbecue.
- Haitian Police was able to intercept the attack on Pétion-Ville, leading to the death of 28 gang members and the confiscation of firearms, drones and munitions. Haitian residents, including the “Bwa Kale” vigilante group, worked with the police in repelling the attack.
- Jimmy Chérizier has called for the departure of the transitional presidential council, threatening to use all means necessary to achieve this goal amid escalating violence and political turmoil in Port-au-Prince.
- Gangs from the coalition “Viv ansanm” announced attacks on several neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince on 11 November, leading to the closure of schools and businesses.
- The same day, clashes occurred between the Haitian National Police and gang members at the airport intersection, with reports of gunfire and fires in the Solino neighborhood. As a result, an airplane from Spirit Airlines was forced to land in the Dominican Republic.
- The airport was targeted again on 18 November, with homes and businesses looted and set on fire.
- Following this incident, the Federal aviation administration banned all commercial flights to and from Haiti for 30 days following the recent violence, leading airlines to cancel operations.
- Attacks by gang members on 12 November led to the murder of a doctor. In Aral, residents reported a manhunt for police and their families, with gang members displaying their weapons throughout the night.
- Gang members attempted to take over areas in Belvue and Bèl vil on 14 November. There were also reports of vigilante groups searching people on the streets across Port-au-Prince. Two gang leaders were killed by the Haitian police.
- The import of supplies from the Varreux terminal (port) ceased on 14 November causing fuel shortages across the country. In Delmas and Pétion-Ville, large crowds of residents started withdrawing cash from the banks.
- The closure of the airport and port will lead to a shortage of supplies, including medical supplies, for which Haiti depends heavily on import.
- Over 20,000 people have been displaced in Port-au-Prince in just four days due to the escalating gang violence, with many sheltering in camps, while criminal groups expand their control and access to the city becomes increasingly restricted, with aid delivery facing significant challenges.
- Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has suspended its activities in Port-au-Prince due to mistreatment of staff members by Haitian Police officers, including rape and threats of death. The decision will take effect on 20 November.
- In October, 27,336 Haitians were deported from the Dominican Republic, with many facing violence and inhumane conditions during their expulsion, prompting the Support Group for Repatriates and Refugees GARR to condemn the mass deportations and mistreatments.
- Aside from the 27,336 Haitians deported, 16,306 voluntarily returned to Haiti out of fear of deportation, while 6,601 others were turned away at the border.
- There has been a 1000% increase in sexual violence against girls in Haiti, with 43 cases reported in 2023 compared to 400 reported cases in 2024.
- The humanitarian crisis in Haiti has led to rising food insecurity, with half of the population—approximately 5.4 million people—facing hunger, and for the first time since 2022, pockets of famine have emerged in areas where displaced individuals reside.
- The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) stated they will resume flights in Haiti on 20 November, facilitating humanitarian operations.
- The Catholic bishops of Haiti issued a statement expressing deep concern over the country’s political and security crises, calling for peace and national unity while denouncing the violence that has led to widespread suffering, displacement, and the paralysis of daily life in the capital.
Situation on the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission
- The United States is intensifying efforts to convert the Kenya-led multinational force in Haiti into a U.N. peacekeeping mission. However, objections from Russia and China have stalled the process, while funding for the force remains critically low.
- Germany pledged €10 million for the MSS mission on 12 November.
International situation
- The UN Secretary-General has stated his concern over the escalation of violence in Haiti, and expressed his support for the efforts of the national police. He also called for increased support for the multinational security mission.
- There have been reports that weapons and ammunition from the arsenal of the police of the Dominican Republic have been stolen and sold to gangs in Haiti. The Dominican Minister of the Interior and Police has announced an investigation into this.
- The embassies of France, Mexico and US in Port-au-Prince closed due to the escalating insecurity.
Links of interest
Haiti replaces its prime minister, marking more turmoil in its democratic transition process
Le gouvernement Fils-Aimé installé
Residents in Haiti’s capital stand with police in a battle to repel the latest gang attack
Pétion-Ville visée, au moins 28 présumés bandits tués
Bodies burned in streets after Haiti police, civilians kill 28 suspected gang members
Après Ariel Henry, la coalition Viv ansanm veut le départ du CPT
Port-au-Prince boucle une semaine sous haute tension
Carrefour area of the airport, ransacked, looted and burned; Risk of shortage of pharmaceutical products
Two Gang Leaders Killed
Haiti – Insecurity : More than 20,000 people displaced by violence in 4 days
1000% increase in rapes of young minors
Haiti – FLASH : First pockets of famine reported in Haiti
Haiti – Insecurity : Humanitarian flights resume
Haiti – Religion : Haitian Catholic Bishops aound the alarm on the situation in the country
US steps up campaign to transform Kenya-led force in Haiti to a UN peacekeeping force
Germany promises 10 million for the MMSS; Closed Embassies
Antonio Guterres “alarmé” par l’escalade de la violence en Haïti
DR : Theft of weapons and ammunition
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