The Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti (MSS) in collaboration with the Haiti National Police Service (HNP) have announced the arrest of two gang members and the recovery of several gangs in the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, MSS said the two gang members belong to Chen Mechan and Pierre 6 gangs.
MSS also announced that a double wall erected by Haiti’s 400 Mawazo gang on National Road #8 in Croix-Des-Bouquets was completely put down.
“The last three weeks have seen sustained targeted joint security operations being conducted by MSS personnel and HNP. The operations ostensibly targeted gang-controlled areas that included Port-Au-Prince Downtown, Ganthier, Delmas, APN Port, Croix des Bouquets and Tabare Carrefour areas,” the statement released on Tuesday night read in part.
“The joint security operations saw the destruction and removal of several barricades that enabled the clearance of roads that gangs had blocked. A double wall erected by the ‘400 Mawazo’ gang on the National Road #8 in Croix-Des-Bouquets was completely put down. This has since enabled free traffic flow of vehicles and the local population.”
MSS also says it has been able to recapture and maintain dominance patrols in various streets in Delmas including Delmas 33,31,24,22,20,18,16,14,12,10,8,6 and 4 that were completely gang-dominated before the operations.
“The joint operations (MSS/HNP) incorporated different formed HNP Units that saw the key areas pacified with several gangs members fleeing in consternation. Several arrests were made with some weapons recovered from the gangs. The arrests include the arrest of two “Chen Mechan and Pierre 6” gang members who are still in police custody,” the statement added.
“Some of the key areas that the joint operations have been able to recapture and maintain dominance patrols include various streets in Delmas that include Delmas 33,31,24,22,20,18,16,14,12,10,8,6 and 4 that were completely gang-dominated prior to the operations where both vehicular and human traffic had been cut off with locals deserting these areas. Businesses had also shut down.”
Normalcy in Haiti
MSS reports that the human population is starting to stream back in large numbers to the streets and peri-urban areas and are already helping the police in clearing debris and cleaning the streets.
The areas that have been pacified include L’avenue Hailé Sélassié-le Boulevard Toussaint Louverture (Route de l’Aéroport), l’Avenue Henri Christophe, la Rue Capois, l’Avenue Christophe, l’Avenue Lamartinière (Bois Verna), Rue de la Réunion, l’Avenue la fleur du chêne, l’Avenue de la République, Rue Capois (Champs de Mars), Rue Saint-Honoré, Grand’Rue (Blvd Jean Jacques Dessalines), Rue Saint Honoré-Avenue Magloire Amboise-Route des Dalles (Eglise Wesleyenne).
“Normalcy is slowly returning in these areas with locals applauding and urging the MSS/HNP to continue with the patrols with many members of the gangs seen fleeing in awe,” the statement added.
The area around the Police Academy is also being pacified, which has seen the Academy re-open with hundreds of recruits currently undergoing training.
MSS has also opened its first Forward Operating Base (FOB) at the Academy to ensure the security of the recruits.
According to MSS, gang leaders have been sending emissaries for truce and dialogue. However, the stand of Prime Minister Garry Conille, Director General HNP Normil Rameau and MSS Force Commander SAIG Godfrey Otunge is for the gangs to surrender, lay down their weapons and be ready to be prosecuted.
“MSS wishes to assure the population that their security is key in these operations. All that is expected of them is maximum cooperation and support that will leave the gangs with no room but just to surrender. The process may be slow, but the end result is a guaranteed Haiti devoid of gangs,” the statement added.
Last week, the mission received advanced Caricom represented by Jamaica and Belize. More contributing countries are expected to deploy soon as the deployment period closes.