Gang attack in Haiti’s Ganthier leaves at least 2 deaths and many missing

PORT-AU-PRINCE —  A brutal gang attack led by the notorious 400 Mawozo gang on Sunday in Ganthier, a commune about 19 miles east of Port-au-Prince, resulted in at least two deaths and multiple people reported missing. Led by Wilson “Lanmò San Jou” Joseph, the armed gang also set several properties on fire, including the town police station, customs center and numerous homes, forcing dozens of residents and local police to flee the area.

The attack began on Saturday evening in the Tremblay locality within the Croix-des-Bouquets district and subsequently spread to Ganthier. Despite the dire situation, Mayor Jean Vilonaire Victor remained hopeful that peace and security would be restored and that the city would not fall under the control of armed bandits.

“What is certain is that the city will not fall into the hands of bandits,” Victor said in a brief conversation with The Haitian Times on WhatsApp, confirming the attack and the resulting casualties and property damage.

On Sunday, the sound of automatic gunfire echoed throughout the town, particularly in areas directly affected by the assault, local press reported.

The attack on Ganthier followed a three-day joint operation by the Haitian police (PNH) and armed forces (FAd’H) in the Croix-Des-Bouquets area, the stronghold of 400 Mawozo. The PNH and FAd’H agents managed to contain the gang’s advance, but clashes persisted throughout Sunday night, according to Mayor Victor.

“We regret that despite the presence of new authorities at the head of the country and the Haitian national police, this has not prevented bandits from continuing to take control of other territories.”

SPNH-17

“Ganthier is still the same; people are forced to run and flee,” a resident, speaking anonymously out of fear, told The Haitian Times. “The armed gangs are still here; they are the ones who make the law.”

Violence has been spread by the “Viv Ansanm” gang coalition, which 400 Mawozo is a part of. This violent attack in Ganthier occurred shortly after similar attacks in Gressier and Carrefour less than a month ago, where 28 people were killed.

The Ganthier attack followed the release of a video on social media by gang leader Lanmò San Jou (Death Any Day in English), boasting about their new acquisition of weapons and ammunition.

Police union calls for tangible actions

Prior to the attack, the Haitian National Police Union (SPNH-17) had issued an alert on X (formerly Twitter), indicating that they had information suggesting the Ganthier police station was a potential target.

 The union requested assistance from the PNH director general and West Department police to support the threatened officers in Ganthier, who ultimately had to flee. “If there are authorities, these disturbances cannot continue,” SPNH-17 stated. “We regret that despite the presence of new authorities at the head of the country and the Haitian National Police, bandits continue to take control of other territories.”

Union officials called on the PNH’s new director general, Rameau Normil, to deliver tangible results to curb gang activities. They criticized the authorities’ inaction, which they said had contributed to the loss of Ganthier’s police station and the loss of lives.

Awaiting major anti-gang operations

Despite the ongoing resurgence of escalating gang violence, Haitians are still awaiting major anti-gang operations, particularly in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince.

On top of the attacks resulting in numerous deaths, forced displacements, and property damage, the Haitian police also recorded seven cases of kidnapping during the first two weeks of July.

Until now, no major operations have been conducted to confront the gangs in controlled territories. Many have hoped that the beginning of the Kenya-led Multinational Security and Support (MSS) mission deployment, with the arrival of 400 Kenyan police officers in Haiti, would help move things quicker.

On July 18, Haiti’s transitional authorities declared a state of security emergency for one month in several parts of the country, including municipalities in the West and Artibonite departments, as part of broader efforts to restore order and initiate operations to reclaim territories held by gangs.

Prime Minister Garry Conille announced the decision, saying he was optimistic about his government’s ability to restore stability and reassert state authority in the country.

“I announce to you that, with the support of the presidential council, we will implement a set of concrete and decisive measures to combat insecurity and restore peace in the country,” said Conille in his address. “These initiatives will mark a major turning point in our battle against this ordeal.”

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Gang attack in Haiti’s Ganthier leaves at least 2 deaths and many missing was first posted on July 22, 2024 at 11:05 am.