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PORT-AU-PRINCE, Nov 24 (Haiti Wire) – Haiti’s worsening security crisis has left its capital, Port-au-Prince, teetering on the brink, with heavily armed gangs consolidating their control over 85% of the city. A UN-backed mission led by Kenyan forces was expected to restore some order, but months after its deployment, violence continues unabated, and political instability further undermines the nation’s prospects for recovery.
Recent clashes highlight the extent of the lawlessness. This week, gangs targeted an affluent neighborhood in the capital, forcing residents to fight alongside police with makeshift weapons. The incident marked a shocking escalation, showing how violence has encroached on areas once considered untouchable.
“The entire situation is collapsing,” said Robert Fatton, a Haitian politics expert from the University of Virginia. “This is the worst crisis Haiti has seen in decades.”
UN Mission and global efforts fall short
The international mission led by Kenya, with backing from the United Nations, was intended to support Haiti’s struggling National Police. However, fewer than 400 officers have arrived, far below the planned deployment of 2,500 personnel. A recent report in The Guardian noted that Kenyan officials have acknowledged the mission’s difficulties but remain hopeful about its eventual impact.
Canada’s ambassador to Haiti, André François Giroux, underscored the mission’s challenges, telling reporters, “They’ve done remarkable work under difficult circumstances, but the scale of the problem is enormous.”
Despite some successes, including joint patrols in parts of the capital, gangs have continued to adapt and expand. A new wave of violence earlier this month left at least 150 dead and displaced over 20,000 people, according to United Nations figures.
Political paralysis adds to the crisis
The dismissal of Prime Minister Ariel Henry earlier this month has deepened Haiti’s political crisis. His successor, Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, has pledged to restore stability, but infighting within the transitional government poses significant obstacles. The council overseeing the political transition has faced accusations of corruption and mismanagement, further eroding public trust.
The political vacuum has emboldened gang leaders like Jimmy Chérizier, a former police officer turned gang leader known as “Barbecue,” who leads a coalition demanding the resignation of the transitional council. According to an analysis by Le Nouvelliste, Chérizier’s group has threatened further violence unless their demands are met.
Elections have not been held in Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, and the absence of a functioning government has left citizens increasingly vulnerable.
Humanitarian and economic fallout
The humanitarian toll is staggering. The closure of Port-au-Prince’s international airport—following gang attacks on commercial flights—has halted aid deliveries, exacerbating food shortages in a country where nearly half the population faces crisis-level hunger, according to Mercy Corps.
“We are deeply concerned about the isolation of Port-au-Prince,” said Laurent Uwumuremyi, Mercy Corps’ country director in Haiti. “The lack of access to basic goods and services is pushing more people into desperation.”
The disruption also extends to healthcare. Doctors Without Borders announced a suspension of its critical services in the capital last week, citing threats against staff from both gangs and police. This marks the first time the organization has halted operations since it began work in Haiti more than 30 years ago.
Regional and international implications
Haiti’s crisis is spilling across borders. In a recent investigation dubbed “Operation Pandora,” Dominican authorities uncovered a criminal network involving police officials who illegally diverted over 900,000 rounds of ammunition. Some of this ammunition was reportedly trafficked into Haiti, fueling the violence, according to a report from Diario Libre.
The Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Interior and Police called the operation a stark reminder of the cross-border challenges posed by arms trafficking. “The weapons used to destabilize Haiti often come from outside its borders,” noted Ramón Antonio Guzmán Peralta, the Dominican police chief.
Divided international response
Efforts to stabilize Haiti face resistance at the global level. While the United States and Canada have supported the Kenyan-led mission, other nations, including Russia and China, have opposed expanding the UN’s involvement. A peacekeeping mission remains unlikely in the near term, with experts estimating that any such deployment would take at least a year.
“Everyone wants quick solutions, but there’s no silver bullet,” said Giroux, reflecting on international debates over Haiti’s future. “Without political leadership within Haiti, even the most robust peacekeeping force would struggle.”
As Haiti’s political elite remains fractured and international interventions falter, many Haitians are left wondering how the country can recover. Experts like Fatton suggest that negotiations with gang leaders, while controversial, might become a necessary step.
For now, Haiti’s trajectory remains deeply uncertain, as violence continues to rise and international efforts struggle to gain traction.
