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Situation in Haiti
- An assault was launched in the mountainous area of Kenscoff by the “Viv Ansanm” coalition on 27 January, leading to the displacement of over 3000 people. The death toll of the assault is still unclear, but it is reported that at least ten students and entire families were murdered.
- Authorities were aware of the impending assault since 23 January, but were not able to prevent it. Clashes between the authorities and gang members resulted in the death of over 20 gang members.
- Responding to the assault, law enforcement operations were carried out in Bonga, La Hatte, and Dlo Barette. During these operations, two assault rifles and a bag containing several hundred rounds of 5.56 caliber ammunition were seized.
- Threats of assaults have also emerged in Port-au-Prince, leading to a shutdown of activities since Monday 3 February.
- 25 Haitians were repatriated from the United States on 4 February, many of whom had spent months imprisoned before their deportation. Their passports were not returned to them upon their arrival in Haiti.
- This is the first forced return to Haiti since the inauguration of the US Trump administration.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Haiti has directed its embassy and consulates in the U.S. to establish emergency units to assist Haitians affected by U.S. immigration enforcement actions, amid heightened deportation efforts.
- Demonstrations by public school students have been taking place in Jacmel. Students are demanding the presence of teachers in classrooms. Five students were brought to the hospital after sustaining injuries.
- Seven members of the “Koko Rat San Ras” gang were arrested on 24 January.
- At least 1,732 people were killed and 411 were injured due to gang violence, self-defense groups and police operations in the last quarter of 2024, according to a new report by the UN. On top of that, 431 people were kidnapped for ransom by gangs in the same period.
- In the last months of 2024, three massacres took place in Haiti leading to over 300 deaths. The phenomenon of “popular justice” increased, with 268 people lynched or executed, while police officers carried out summary executions killing 80 people.
- Law enforcement operations also had high casualty rates, with 771 people killed or injured during operations against gangs in the fourth quarter of 2024, 38% of whom were civilians.
- The conditions within prisons have remained very poor, leading to 21 inmates dying during the last quarter of 2024, with a total of 186 in 2024.
Situation on the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT)
- Enex Jean-Charles, president of the national conference steering committee, announced that a proposal for constitutional revision will be submitted to the executive by the end of February 2025, following consultations with various sectors and political parties.
- Leslie Voltaire, the head of the Transitional Presidential Council, announced that the first round of elections for a president, parliament and local mayors will take place on 15 November 2025.
- Voltaire’s announcement was faced with backlash as critics were saying that the plan is unrealistic.
- A member of the political coalition known as December 21, called Voltaire out for lying about armed gangs retreating, when they have really been gaining ground.
Situation on the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission
- The United States’ new administration has frozen the 13,3 million US dollars remaining in the MSS trust fund (out of 15 million). The U.S. has also ordered an immediate work suspension on their contribution to the MSS Force.
- A contingent of 70 soldiers from El Salvador landed in Haiti on 4 February. They consist primarily of doctors, stretcher bearers and psychologists tasked with ensuring the air evacuation of soldiers and officers injured during operations.
International situation
- The Trump administration has frozen all U.S. aid spending, including USAID programmes, for 90 days. The freeze has catastrophic implications for public health in Haiti and has already led to unpaid leave for law enforcement experts aiding in security efforts.
- Leslie Voltaire, President of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), made official state visits to Europe between 23 and 31 January. His visit included discussions with Pope Francis and French President Emmanuel Macron.
- The discussions with President Macron centred around security, the economy, and cultural cooperation. Voltaire also announced that Macron would make an official statement on the independence debt on 17 April.
- The Republic of Korea has announced a $6 million donation to support UN humanitarian efforts in Haiti, allocating $2 million each to UNICEF, OCHA, and UNDP, reinforcing its commitment to improving the well-being of Haitian children and strengthening bilateral relations
Links of interest
How Haiti gangs shattered peace in a mountainous region, exposed deadly police failings
Human Rights Groups Report Dozens of Deaths in Kenscoff
Kenscoff : assault rifles and ammunition seized
Kenscoff : More than 20 bandits killed; Protest, 5 students in the hospital
Port-au-Prince Faces Near Shutdown Due to Escalating Gang Menace
Haïti accueille les premiers expulsés de l’administration Trump
Task Force Established to Support Haitians Facing Deportation from the USA
Arrest of 7 members of the “Koko Rat San Ras” gang
Haiti: The human rights situation remains very alarming
Les grandes lignes de la nouvelle Constitution seront connues en février, promet Enex Jean-Charles
Haiti leader says elections can be held this year even as gangs continue their rampage
Blow for Kenya Police as Trump Freezes Ksh1.7 Billion to Haiti
US freezes funding for security mission tackling Haiti’s gangs
Les USA ordonnent l’arrêt immédiat de l’utilisation de leur contribution au fond fiduciaire pour la MMAS
Un nouveau contingent de 60 soldats salvadoriens déployé en Haïti
Haiti – FLASH : Arrival of a new contingent of 70 Salvadoran soldiers (Video)
U.S. Aid Freeze Sparks Worries Over Security and Healthcare in Haiti
“Elections Will Take Place This Year, One Way or Another,” Declares Leslie Voltaire
Sécurité, élections et mémoire historique au cœur des échanges entre Leslie Voltaire et Emmanuel Macron
Haiti – Humanitarian : Donation of 6 million US$ from the Republic of South Korea
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