Faith Nyasuguta
Haiti’s transitional presidential council, led by Fritz Alphonse Jean, is facing increasing calls for resignation as gang violence continues to escalate across the nation. Jean, in an attempt to address growing public concern, promised new measures to curb the widespread bloodshed in a televised address.
This statement came after violent protests rocked Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s capital, where demonstrators clashed with police outside the council and the prime minister’s office. Thousands of Haitians rallied against the government, demanding an end to the lawlessness, marking the largest protest since the transitional council took office a year ago.
“We hear your pain and suffering,” Jean assured the Haitian people. “We understand your misery.” However, his address was not enough to calm the widespread discontent, with more than 4,200 reported deaths and 1,356 injuries in Haiti from July to February, according to the United Nations. The violence, driven by gangs, has not only claimed lives but displaced over 60,000 people in just one month.
Jean’s remarks came at a critical juncture as groups that once supported the transitional council now call for a leadership change, citing the council’s inability to address the mounting violence. These calls are echoed by the international community, which has also raised concerns about the government’s failure to contain the crisis.
In his speech, Jean highlighted the devastating impact of gang violence on the population, naming neighborhoods that had recently fallen victim to violent attacks. “Your homes, businesses, and jobs have been lost. People have been raped, including children. Gangs have killed many,” he said.
While acknowledging the gravity of the situation, Jean appealed to Haitians to rally behind law enforcement, urging them to resist gang recruitment efforts, particularly targeting young people. He also called for a collective effort to combat the violence, likening the current struggle to Haiti’s historic fight for independence.
The transitional council outlined potential measures to address the violence, including allocating a special budget and deploying agents from an armed state environmental group, the BSAP, to assist in the fight. However, Jean did not clarify the amount of funding or the number of agents to be involved, leaving questions about the government’s strategy.
Haiti has lacked a president since the assassination of former leader Jovenel Moise in July 2021, and the power vacuum has allowed gangs to grow stronger and more violent. With the country’s leadership under intense scrutiny, the transitional government faces mounting pressure to deliver on its promises or risk further unrest.
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