Haitians take to the streets demanding government action as gang violence continues to ravage their nation, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry amid a deepening humanitarian crisis.
At a Glance
- Protests have escalated in Port-au-Prince, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of U.S.-backed Prime Minister Ariel Henry
- Gangs have blockaded a key port, causing severe shortages of fuel, food, and water while a new cholera outbreak threatens public health
- The U.S. and Canada have sent military equipment to assist Haitian police, while the U.S. pushes for international security intervention
- Many Haitians oppose foreign intervention, advocating instead for a sovereign, Haitian-led solution to the country’s political crisis
- The Montana Accord, developed by over 500 Haitian groups, offers a potential path forward but lacks international engagement
Mounting Civil Unrest in Haiti’s Capital
Protesters marched through Port-au-Prince’s mountainous areas on Sunday, demonstrating against the pervasive gang violence that has crippled the nation. Carrying signs and chanting demands for security and political change, demonstrators called for the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and the transitional presidential council. The protests have intensified following Henry’s announcement to raise fuel prices, a decision made despite the ongoing humanitarian crisis that has left many Haitians without access to basic necessities.
The situation has become dire as gangs have established a blockade at a critical port in Port-au-Prince, creating severe shortages of fuel, food, and water. This blockade has severely hampered relief efforts and exacerbated the humanitarian crisis that includes a new outbreak of cholera. The crisis has prompted United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to call for “armed action” to reopen the port and facilitate the delivery of essential supplies to the Haitian population.
#Haiti-Mobilization: Thousands of Haitians marched in Fonds-Parisien against insecurity
As announced a few days ago, residents of Fonds-Parisien organized a peaceful march on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, to continue to denounce the climate of insecurity and demand that the power… pic.twitter.com/ehhfY9N5KS
— HaitiInfoProj (@HaitiInfoProj) August 31, 2024
International Response and Local Opposition
The United States and Canada have responded to the escalating crisis by sending military equipment to assist Haitian police in managing the unrest. Additionally, the U.S. has been urging the UN Security Council to authorize a security mission to Haiti. However, this push for international intervention has sparked further protests, with many Haitians vehemently opposing foreign military presence in their country. Citizens are calling for sovereignty and self-determination, arguing that previous foreign interventions have historically contributed to, rather than resolved, Haiti’s problems.
The United States government is actively pushing for a non-UN international security mission aimed at improving security conditions and facilitating humanitarian aid. This approach comes as Haiti continues to grapple with the political instability that followed the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse, an event widely viewed as a catalyst for the current crisis. Many Haitians view this external intervention with suspicion, citing a long history of foreign interference in their national affairs.
— Sharon Natasha Kehoe (@Sharon_N_Kehoe) November 9, 2024
Calls for a Haitian-Led Solution
Guerline Jozef of the Haitian Bridge Alliance has emphasized the critical need for a Haitian-led solution to the country’s problems. She criticized foreign interventions that have historically resulted in chaos rather than stability. The gang violence plaguing Haiti is described by many observers as an imported phenomenon that has destabilized the country, causing mass displacement and triggering waves of migration as citizens flee the violence in search of safety and security elsewhere.
The Montana Accord, developed through the collaborative efforts of more than 500 Haitian organizations, represents a potential Haitian-led pathway out of the current political crisis. However, this initiative has received limited engagement from international communities who continue to favor externally-driven solutions. Advocates for Haiti are calling for a new approach to international support—one that includes civil societies and focuses on sustainable development rather than temporary security measures that fail to address the root causes of Haiti’s enduring challenges.
