At least 47 individuals lost their lives and 22 others sustained injuries during a violent incursion by a gang in a neighborhood overlooking Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital. The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti indicated on Monday that the casualty figures might still change.
Mayor Jean Massillon of Kenscoff reported that armed assailants attacked the community late Sunday, setting ablaze homes and perpetrating killings. The hillside area has experienced a series of armed gang assaults over the past year, compelling numerous residents to flee their residences.
Despite efforts by foreign nations to bolster the under-equipped police force, powerful gangs, united under a broad coalition, have entrenched their control over Port-au-Prince and neighboring regions. Following the recent deadly attack, the government of Haiti denounced it as “heinous” and vowed to enhance security measures, while local residents demanded the resignation of the police chief for failing to safeguard the victims located just moments away from the police station.
“Kenscoff will not be deserted,” declared the prime minister’s office via social media, asserting the imminent restoration of government authority without hesitation.
In the aftermath of the assault, cries of grief echoed through Kenscoff as survivors discovered the bodies of their loved ones scattered on the streets early Monday morning. Emotions ran high as residents mourned their losses, with one woman lamenting the death of her son while another man wept beside the road, surrounded by the bodies of the deceased.
Residents blamed the government for the tragic events, highlighting the absence of effective law enforcement measures that could have prevented the bloodshed. The community mourned the loss of multiple individuals, with farmer Mathurin Pierre disclosing the loss of 14 relatives and expressing concern for the whereabouts of others who remain missing.
The attack in Kenscoff was attributed to members of Viv Ansanm, a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government last year. The assailants targeted a church and residences, including those owned by Dr. Jean (Bill) Pape, a prominent doctor running a non-governmental organization in Haiti assisting patients with HIV and tuberculosis.
Gang violence, particularly orchestrated by Viv Ansanm, has plagued Kenscoff and its surrounding areas, with gangs reportedly controlling around 70% of Port-au-Prince. The escalating violence has led to the displacement of 1.5 million Haitians and a significant number of casualties and injuries, as per UN data.
The assault follows the recent deportation of over 160 individuals back to Haiti by the U.S. government, marking the termination of temporary protected status for certain Haitians. Haiti is currently preparing for general elections scheduled for December 13, although concerns have been raised regarding the safety and feasibility of conducting elections in the current volatile environment.