Another Haitian police officer killed in anti-gang operations 

PORT-AU-PRINCE — Wisly Villefranche, a first-class officer from the 28th cohort of the Haitian National Police (PNH), was killed Thursday during an operation against armed gangs in Port-au-Prince. Villefranche is the third officer killed by gunfire in the capital in less than a month, bringing the total number of police fatalities in Haiti to 23 for 2024. These deaths occur as the PNH, supported by the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, conducts operations to reclaim territories controlled by criminal gangs.

Officer Villefranche was assigned to the Intervention Brigade (BI) unit near the National Palace in Champs-de-Mars. He was shot in the head and died at the scene. His body was later retrieved by fellow officers.

According to local media reports, the police intervention followed a distress call from residents about heavily armed individuals invading the area, causing panic extending to Champs-de-Mars.

SPNH-17 calls on the government to support the victim’s family

Once again, the Haitian National Police Union (SPNH-17) expressed dismay over the continued loss of officers to gang violence, highlighting Villefranche’s bravery in defending Port-au-Prince residents against over 150 armed assailants. In a message posted on X, the union extended condolences to to the victim’s family and colleagues while demanding justice and reparations.

SPNH-17 honored Villefranche’s courage, stating, “It is with honor that we say farewell, comrade. The SPNH calls on the state to support your family.”

Recent police officer fatalities include   James Dorsainvil  and Médjine Nathanielle Michel killed on Aug. 15 and Aug. 28 respectively. Dorsainvil was murdured during an attack in Solino by Bel-Air gangs. For Michel, she was killed in Delmas 75, northeast Port-au-Prince suburb, when her vehicle was attacked on her way to work. Her sister and brother-in-law have been arrested in connection with her murder.

Haitian police and infrastructure have increasingly become targets for gangs, making it difficult to find operational police stations in gang-controlled areas. Recently, the 400 Mawozo gang set fire to the Ganthier police station, following similar attacks on stations in Carrefour, Gressier, Archaie, and Cabaret by other gangs.

Despite several joint-interventions by the PNH anti-gang units and Kenyan officers, these armed groups continue their assaults on law enforcement.

Officer killed during U.S. Secretary of State’s visit

Villefranche’s death coincided with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Haiti, where he met with local authorities amid widespread gang violence, particularly in 80% of Port-au-Prince and significant part of the Artibonite department. Blinken reaffirmed U.S. commitment to supporting the restoration of security in the nation and announced an additional $45 million in humanitarian aid.

Blinken acknowledged the challenges faced by the MSS mission and discussed the possibility of transforming it into a United Nations mission to attract more international support, thereby paving the way for its long-term success. The U.S. has already contributed over $300 million to the mission, which includes providing equipment and infrastructure support. However, it has not gained sufficient financial backing from other UN member states to make it fully operational beyond the deployment of 400 Kenyan police officers.

Edgar Gardy Leblanc Fils, president of the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), supports transforming the Kenyan mission into a UN mission, citing funding issues as a barrier to deploying additional personnel from Kenyan and other countries.

“If the mission’s nature changes, it would ensure mandatory UN funding,” Leblanc said. “However, the mission must be time-limited to dismantle gangs and quickly transition responsibilities to Haiti’s national security forces.”

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