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Situation in Haiti
- More than 70 people died in an attack from the gang “Gran Grif” in Pont-Sondé during the night of 2-3 October. The attack stemmed from resistance by drivers in Pont-Sondé who refused to pay the toll demanded by the gang at Carrefour Pèye earlier in the day.
- Earlier in the week, “Gran Grif” had already killed four people in Carrefour Cadeau and set houses on fire in the area of Savary Grasset.
- The nearest hospital, Saint-Nicolas Hospital, was already overwhelmed prior to the massacre by escalating violence in Lower Artibonite, with hospital staff working continuously to manage the influx, despite resource shortages.
- Leslie Voltaire, representing the party Fanmi Lavalas, replaced Edgard Leblanc Fils in the rotating presidency of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT) on 7 October. Smith Augustin and Louis Gérald Gilles, who were both accused of corruption, have been removed from the rotating presidency.
- Two groups in the CPT, the Collective of Political Parties of January 30 and the Monitoring Office of the Montana Agreement, have distanced themselves from the current administration as a result of the corruption scandal within the Council.
- Edgard Leblanc Fils, former President of the CPT, representing the Collective of Political Parties of 30 January, has been recalled by the Collective, which is initiating consultations for a new governance model.
- Emmanuel Vertilaire, one of the members of the CPT accused of corruption, challenged the credibility of a report published by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) recommending legal action against the accused, citing conflicts of interest and disputing its interpretation.
- Three Civil Society Organisations; the Civil Society Initiative (ISC), the National Human Rights Defence Network (RNDDH) and Together Against Corruption (ECC) have called on the members of the CPT accused of corruption to resign and place themselves at the disposal of justice.
- The Permanent Council of the Organisation of American States (OAS) held a meeting on 8 October to address Haiti’s concerns over the Dominican Republic’s mass deportation of Haitian migrants.
- The Haitian representatives condemned the policy as a violation of human dignity and international human rights, whilst the Dominican representative defended the actions as lawful and called for bilateral dialogue.
- A meeting was held the same day in Haiti led by the government to create a multisectoral task force to manage the reception and reintegration of Haitian migrants deported from the Dominican Republic, address key areas such as temporary shelter, documentation, and socioeconomic support.
- Between 3 and 6 October 7,217 Haitian were deported and repatriated from the Dominican Republic.
- An outbreak of violence in the commune of Saut d’Eau on 23 September led to the displacement of 627 people.
- The leader of the “Lame ti manchèt”gang, Guerlain Maslin, was arrested on 27 September. His gang primarily operates in Saint-Jean du Sud, located in the South of Haiti.
- Over 3,600 people have been killed due to gang violence in Haiti since January, whilst over 700,000 people are displaced in the country, the majority of which are children. The number of Internally Displaced People (IDPs) increased by 22% since June.
- The majority of IDPs in Haiti (96%) originate from the West department, with 70% of IDPs coming from Port-au-Prince. 3% of IDPs come from the Arbonite department.
- One in six children in Haiti are one step away from famine conditions, according to Save the Children. The number of children at risk of famine increased by 20% over the past 6 months.
- Almost half of Haitians are facing acute hunger, with 2 million people facing emergency food insecurity. Food insecurity is especially prevalent among IDPs living in temporary shelters in Port-au-Prince.
- Due to the soaring inflation, food costs currently amount to 70% of household spending.
Situation on the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission
- The Security Council renewed the mandate for the MSS mission by a year on 30 September. During the meeting, the need for more funding and to find lasting solutions that address the root causes were mentioned.
- The Guinean Prime Minister, Amadou Oury Bah, declared that Guinea would send a contingency of 650 police officers to participate in the MSS mission on 28 September, during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly.
- Kenyan President William Ruto stated to the UN that the full deployment of 2,500 police officers will be completed by January 2025.
International situation
- Edgard Leblanc Fils, former president of the CPT, held a speech at the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, discussing migration and the Haitian diaspora, threats posed by climate change, the digital divide, national security and the humanitarian situation, and historical reparations.
- A former Haitian deputy and member of parliament, Prophane Victor, and the leader of the “Gran Grif” gang, Luckson Elan, have been added to the Security Council Sanctions list.
- The European Union released a statement condemning the massacre in Pont-Sondé, stating: “The EU will continue to use all tools, […] with the aim of contributing to restoring peace, security, stability, democracy and the rule of law in Haiti.
Links of interest
Pont-Sondé Massacre: Death Toll Rises
At least 70 people killed in gang attack on Haitian town: UN
Aftermath of Pont Sondé: Saint-Nicolas Hospital in Saint-Marc Counts 23 Injuries and 5 Deaths
Leslie Voltaire, nouveau président du CPT
New leader takes over Haiti’s transitional presidential council marred by corruption allegations
January 30 Collective Recalls Edgard Leblanc Fils
Affaire BNC : Emmanuel Vertilaire répond aux accusations et saisit la justice
L’ISC, RNDDH et ECC appellent les conseillers présidents épinglés par l’ULCC à démissionner et à se mettre à la disposition de la justice
Haiti Condemns Dominican Republic’s Mass Deportation of Haitians at the OAS
Expulsions massives en République dominicaine: Haïti crée un Groupe de travail multisectoriel pour accueillir ses ressortissants
Haiti – FLASH: 7,217 Haitians deported and repatriated to Haiti in 4 days by the Dominican Republic
Arrest of a Gang Leader; 627 people fled the commune of Saut d’Eau
Latin America & The Caribbean Weekly Situation Update as of 27 September 2024
Haiti — Report on the internal displacement situation in Haiti — Round 8 (September 2024)
One in Six Children in Haiti one step away from famine conditions – Save the Children
Haiti – FLASH : More than 5,600 Haitians at risk of dying of hunger in the short term…
Haiti – FLASH : The Security Council extends the mandate of the Mission in Haiti by one year
Guinea willing to send 650 men to Haiti
MMSS : 2,500 troops by January
Haiti – President addresses General Debate, 79th Session
Security Council 2653 Sanctions Committee Adds 2 Entries to Its Sanctions List
Haïti : Déclaration du Porte-parole sur les dernières violences meurtrières
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