Blinken Travels to Haiti in Support of U.S.-Backed Security Mission
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken begins his first official trips to Haiti and the Dominican Republic today; a U.S.-backed international security force has so far struggled to beat back Haitian gangs (Reuters)
Washington is exploring transferring the mission, which relies on voluntary contributions, to a more formal UN peacekeeping force or another option that would make its funding more sustainable, U.S. diplomat Brian Nichols said (Miami Herald)
U.S. Delivers Twenty-Four Armored Vehicles to Haiti
The equipment will support a U.S.-backed, Kenya-led multinational security mission to help Haitian police regain territorial control from gangs; security forces from the Bahamas and Jamaica are expected to arrive in early September (The Star)
Washington Sanctions Former Haitian President, Citing Role in Drug Trade
The U.S. State Department announced sanctions on former Haitian President Michel Martelly, saying he abused “his influence to facilitate drug trafficking” and to sponsor gangs in the country; Martelly did not immediately comment (WaPo)
U.S. Announces $60 Million in New Aid to Haiti
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield announced the additional humanitarian aid on a visit to Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince; Washington will also provide a Kenya-led multinational security mission with mine-resistant vehicles as they help Haitian police try to contain surging gang violence, she said (AP)
Prime Minister Garry Conille Calls on Gangs to Surrender Their Weapons in Televised Address
As part of the country’s international security mission, Haitian and Kenyan police took up positions around the capital, Port-au-Prince; the Associated Press reported that several shots were fired, but it was not clear who fired and if anyone was killed (AP)
Over One Hundred Haitian Migrants Arrive on Boat in Florida Keys
Over one hundred Haitian migrants landed off the lower Florida Keys in a sailboat; the Biden administration has been sending migrants back to Haiti since April (AP)
First Contingent of Kenyan Police Officers Depart for Haiti Security Mission
Kenyan President William Ruto sent off around four hundred officers in a farewell ceremony in Nairobi; around one thousand Kenyan police officers are slated to lead the UN-backed international security mission to stabilize Haiti as it battles surging gang violence (Africanews)
White House to Override Congressional Hold on Military Assistance to Haiti
The override will allow the United States to provide the country with almost $110 million as it prepares to host a multinational security mission, an unnamed U.S. State Department official told Reuters; the State Department official said the security situation in Haiti “cannot wait” (Reuters)
Some U.S. lawmakers had attempted to delay the funds, saying they needed more information on the mission (Reuters)
Record 578,074 People Internally Displaced By Violence, Political Instability
In a new report, UN officials added that 2,500 people were reportedly killed or injured in the first quarter of 2024 and called for progress on a planned Kenya-led multinational security mission to the country (UNHCR)
Haitian Police Delegation Meets With Kenya’s Inspector General of Police in Nairobi
Kenya’s Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, reiterated his country’s commitment to deploying one thousand police officers in its upcoming Multilateral Security Support Mission to Haiti (VoA)
Government Announces Plans to Replace Head of National Police
Police officers reported late pay, insufficient training, and equipment shortages under outgoing leader Frantz Elbe, according to a survey by the Haitian National Human Rights Defense Network; Rameau Normil, who formerly held the post, will return (Reuters)
Transitional Governing Council Appoints Cabinet
The cabinet includes several figures from outside the country’s political class, in sharp contrast to the previous administration; the changes come as Haiti prepares to accept a UN-backed, Kenya-led international security mission to help address surging gang violence in the country (Reuters)
Gang Kills Three Police Officers, Injures One in Ambush
Gang leader Jimmy “Barbeque” Cherizier led an ambush on a patrol of four police officers in the Delmas 18 neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, setting the patrol car on fire and capturing the officers’ firearms; newly elected Prime Minister Garry Conille condemned the attack (Reuters)
Haiti’s Transitional Governing Council Unanimously Names New Prime Minister
The council selected longtime international aid official Garry Conille as prime minister, tasking him with liaising with a multinational security mission and leading the country toward new presidential elections; Conille served briefly as Haiti’s prime minister more than a decade ago and has worked over the past twenty-five years for aid agencies including the United Nations (NYT)
Three Missionaries, Including Two Americans, Killed in Gang Attack
Two different gangs occupied the mission’s compound on Thursday night, attacking employees and stealing cars (NYT)
Kenyan Police Deployment to Haiti Delayed
U.S. and Kenyan officials initially expected Kenyan police to arrive in Haiti by yesterday for the start of a multinational security mission, but their deployment has been delayed, two unnamed sources told Reuters
A Kenyan advance assessment team that arrived in Haiti earlier this week found an equipment shortage, the Miami Herald reported
NYT: Some Haitian Gangs Have Acquired Automatic Weapons
Gangs in Haiti are growing in force, and some have gained automatic weapons since February, increasing their firepower against an incoming multinational security mission, two unnamed U.S. Justice Department officials told the New York Times;the groups have also changed their posture on social media, acting more like militias with countrywide ambitions than groups concerned with small-scale turf wars (NYT)
Haiti’s Main International Airport Reopens After Closure Due to Violence
The reopening of the airport in the capital, Port-au-Prince, is expected to help ease the shortage of medicine and other basic supplies in Haiti as the country struggles with surging gang violence; the airport had been closed for nearly three months (AP)
U.S. Sends Equipment to Haiti to Prepare for Security Mission
Several U.S. military planes have recently arrived in Haiti to set up temporary living quarters for the personnel who will carry out a multinational security mission in the country, U.S. Southern Command said; Kenya is due to lead the mission with one thousand police officers, while the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Chad, and Jamaica have also agreed to provide personnel (FT)
Haiti Reverts on PM Nominee
The transitional governing council walked back its nomination for prime minister made earlier in the week after some council members objected to the way Fritz Bélizaire was selected; council members said they would return to the original list of contenders and choose another nominee (Reuters)
Haiti Transitional Government Selects New Council Leader, Prime Minister
The seven voting members of the council selected former head of the Senate Edgard Leblanc Fils to lead the council, and Fritz Bélizaire, former youth and sports minister, as prime minister; both choices were decided by a 4–3 vote (Miami Herald)
Haiti Transitional Council to Choose President
The seven voting members of a transitional government are due to choose a president today, one week after they officially took power; the president and council will be tasked with coordinating a multinational UN security force that is preparing to deploy in the country (VOA, Reuters, AP, AFP)
Haiti Transition Government to Be Instated Today
The ceremony to instate a nine-member transition council today was moved from its original location at Haiti’s presidential palace due to disrepair and risks of violence; it is due to occur at a separate government property (Miami Herald)
UNICEF: Three Million Children Require Humanitarian Assistance in Haiti
Catherine Russell, the head of UNICEF, referred to the situation in Haiti as “catastrophic” and emphasized that the infrastructure providing essential services to civilians has failed in many areas of the country (BBC)
Haiti Reaches Deal to Form Transition Government Amid Security Crisis
Haitian civil society organizations and political groups have reached an agreement on the framework of a twenty-two-month transition government in the country; the deal positions Haiti to move out of a leadership limbo that has snarled efforts to address a worsening security crisis (Miami Herald)
Outgoing Prime Minister Ariel Henry and his council of ministers would be required to sign off on the deal for it to pass its final stage and take effect (CNN)
The deal names nine people, including two non-voting members, to a ruling council representing political parties, the private sector, and civil society; the transition framework paves the way for Haiti to hold elections in 2026 (AFP)
Henry announced last month that he planned to resign amid low popularity levels in Haiti and as preparations continued for the deployment of a UN-backed, Kenya-led multinational security mission to the country to help curb surging violence (WaPo)
Among the first tasks of the transition government would be selecting a prime minister and liaising with planners for the security mission (USIP)