Kenyan police unit comes under fire in Port-au-Prince

Security Update: Port-au-Prince Incident

A specialized police unit in Port-au-Prince encountered an attack on Mon, Oct 23, 2023, while patrolling the streets of the Haitian capital.

Officers engaged in a defensive response after suspected gang members assaulted their armored vehicle with molotov cocktails. The incident resulted in the vehicle being compromised as it caught fire.

The police unit evacuated the area swiftly, and volunteers assisted in extinguishing the fire.

Local resident Etienne Yvenner emphasized the need for community support, stating, "We must help the police. The population must get involved. Today, the bandits are against us, against the people."

Reports indicate that gangs currently control approximately 90% of Port-au-Prince. Two years ago, Kenyan police were deployed as part of a United Nations-backed mission aimed at regaining control of the capital. However, challenges such as insufficient staffing and funding have impeded progress.

In September, the United Nations approved a gang suppression force, which aims to empower the mission to arrest suspected gang members effectively.

Haiti anticipates holding general elections this year, marking the first such event in a decade. Furthermore, the nation continues to grapple with widespread displacement, hunger, and poverty, affecting nearly 1.5 million individuals across the Caribbean island.

Based on reporting by Africanews.