UN mission details deadly attacks in Haiti’s capital and questions government’s delayed response
SAN JUAN Puerto Rico AP More than people were killed during latest gang attacks on two communities in Haiti s capital according to a description on Monday by the U N political mission in Haiti that questioned the delay in the response by functionaries The overview notes that during the first attack in late January on Kenscoff in the southern end of the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince it took Haiti s military police and a U N -backed mission led by Kenyan police roughly five hours to respond The account reported officials had received information about the attack and that the delay possibly underscored a lack of alignment between Haiti s National Police and the cabinet The sequence of events in Kenscoff appears to indicate that the safety forces did not initially take adequate measures to prevent the first attacks nor to ensure the rapid deployment of specialized police units despite reports of an imminent threat posed by gangs the U N mission reported Staggering numbers At least people were killed others were injured and chosen homes were burned before measure forces arrived and repelled the gangs killing at least gunmen the mission commented Later the same day in the neighborhood of Carrefour in the western region of the metro area at least civilians were killed in another wave of gang attacks Overall from Jan to March at least people were disclosed killed and another were injured in Kenscoff and parts of Carrefour according to the statement This revealed once again the fractures and tension that exist between the prime minister and the police chief and the lack of coordination in the state s response to the gang threat revealed Diego Da Rin an analyst with the International Dilemma Group The attacks also revealed the inability of police to react to all the threats they receive and process them to confirm whether they re rumors or credible information that can be used to prevent an attack he disclosed A spokesman for Haiti s National Police did not return a message seeking comment Among those killed from January to March were suspected gang members and a one-month-old baby that gunmen threw into a fire during one attack the U N mission known as BINUH declared More than people in those communities were left homeless with gangs setting fire to more than homes and raping at least seven women and girls including a -year-old mother who was breastfeeding her baby and was gang raped the account declared Extreme brutality The gangs prepared for the attack by hiding weapons and ammunition in drums normally used to carry water and fuel and placing them on the backs of donkeys that walked through nearby hills undetected the assessment explained Gang members displayed extreme brutality seeking to sow fear among the population it also reported They executed men women and children inside their homes and shot others on the roads and trails as they tried to flee the violence Overall from Jan to March more than people have been informed killed across Haiti and others injured BINUH mentioned Two journalists also have been broadcasted missing in newest days The home of Jean Christophe Coll gue former correspondent for Voice of America was set on fire and he hasn t been seen since according to a report by the Association of Haitian Journalists Meanwhile a video posted on social media shows Radio Ginen reporter Isra l Roger Claudy and his brother being abducted by gangs the association declared Every journalist killed or missing every media company vandalized or set on fire is an attack against democracy it added A fallen city Gangs are estimated to control of the capital Port-au-Prince but multiple believe the city already has fallen announced Jake Johnston international research director at the Washington-based Center for Economic and Strategy Research For the vast majority that threshold was passed long ago he stated On April thousands of protesters marched toward the offices of the prime minister and the transitional presidential council demanding an end to gang violence as they confronted police and were met with gunfire and tear gas What it really shows you is the sort of level of frustration Johnson revealed Taking to the streets to protest in this context is obviously not a safe thing to do but people are willing to peril their lives The United Nations has warned that the mission led by Kenyan police is lacking funds and personnel operating with only about of the personnel originally envisioned What s clear is that sitting around and waiting for more external help in doing this is not a viable strategy Johnston disclosed Source
