Haiti Holds Out Hope for Presidential Election Amid Gang Violence

Haiti is encountering severe challenges due to the dominance of street gangs in Port-au-Prince, with new Transitional Presidential Council leader Fritz Alphonse Jean calling for national unity. Despite USAID cuts, the Kenyan-led Multi-National Support Mission, confirmed by US officials, aims to bolster security. The climate of violence has significantly worsened since the assassination of President Moise in 2021, putting democracy at risk.

Fritz Alphonse Jean, the new leader of the Transitional Presidential Council, has spotlighted the significant threat posed by street gangs in Haiti, which have recently escalated their attacks in Port-au-Prince. Currently, these criminal entities control approximately eighty-five percent of the capital. Jean emphatically stated, “Our country is at war and we need to be unified in order to win it.”

In light of the ongoing violence, the situation is further complicated by economic challenges, as Haiti faces cuts in USAID due to the Trump administration’s policies. Despite this, the Kenyan-led Multi-National Support Mission remains active, comprising eight hundred personnel with a commitment from the United States to support their efforts. Kenyan President William Ruto affirmed this during a recent call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Originally authorized by the UN Security Council in 2023, these security forces provide essential support to uphold law and order in Haiti. The precarious state of democracy in Haiti has deteriorated significantly following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise on July 7, 2021, which led to widespread violence, the loss of thousands of lives, and over a million individuals displaced from their homes.

The situation in Haiti is dire, with street gangs controlling much of the capital and a critical need for unity to combat this violence. International support through the Kenyan-led Multi-National Support Mission offers a glimmer of hope; however, ongoing economic challenges complicate the nation’s recovery. Haiti’s struggle for democracy hangs in the balance as it faces monumental challenges following the assassination of its president.

Original Source: www.vaticannews.va