Ganthier, Haiti – A violent gang attack orchestrated by the notorious 400 Mawozo gang unfolded in Ganthier, a commune located about 19 miles east of Port-au-Prince, resulting in at least two fatalities and multiple individuals reported missing. Led by Wilson “Lanmò San Jou” Joseph, the armed group set ablaze various properties in the area, including the commune police station, a customs control center, and several homes, prompting residents and local law enforcement to evacuate the vicinity.
The assault commenced on Saturday evening in the Tremblay area within the Croix-des-Bouquets district before spreading to Ganthier. Despite the gravity of the situation, Mayor Jean Vilonaire Victor expressed optimism that peace and security could be reinstated, emphasizing the city’s resilience against falling under the influence of armed criminals.
Mayor Victor affirmed, amidst a conversation with The Haitian Times via WhatsApp, that Ganthier would not succumb to the bandits. The sound of automatic gunfire reverberated across the town on Sunday, particularly within the zones directly impacted by the attack, local reports disclosed.
Following a joint operation by the Haitian police (PNH) and armed forces (FAd’H) in the Croix-des-Bouquets region, the stronghold of the 400 Mawozo gang, clashes persisted through Sunday night as the authorities endeavored to thwart the gang’s incursion, Mayor Victor recounted.
Residents, who requested anonymity out of fear, lamented the prevailing sense of insecurity, noting the dominance of armed groups and their imposition of law in the community. The violence in Ganthier mirrors the tactics employed by the “Viv Ansanm” gang coalition, of which 400 Mawozo is a part.
As the region grapples with escalating gang violence, the Haitian National Police Union raised alarms about the looming threats faced by officers in Ganthier prior to the attack. Despite appeals for support from law enforcement authorities, the union regretted the persistence of criminal elements seizing control of territories.
Amid mounting casualties, displacement, and property damage due to the attacks, concerns mount over the lack of significant anti-gang measures, particularly in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. The deployment of 400 Kenyan police officers in Haiti proposed under the Kenya-led Multinational Security and Support mission is anticipated to expedite efforts to combat gang activities and restore order.
In response to the heightened insecurity, transitional authorities in Haiti declared a state of security emergency for one month in select regions, signaling a commitment to reestablishing stability and asserting state authority. Prime Minister Garry Conille expressed confidence in the government’s capacity to alleviate the crisis and instigate transformative measures to combat insecurity, marking a pivotal juncture in the nation’s battle against criminality.