Gang war in Haiti facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gang war in Haiti |
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 Clashes between 2023–2024 |
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Since 2020, Haiti's main city, Port-au-Prince, has been facing a big problem. There's an ongoing fight between two powerful groups called gangs. These groups are the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies (also known as G9) and G-Pep. The Government of Haiti and its police and army have had a hard time keeping control of Port-au-Prince during this conflict. It's said that these groups control most of the city by 2023. Because the fighting got worse, a group of citizens, known as bwa kale, started to fight back against the gangs. On October 2, 2023, the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699 was approved. This means the United Nations decided to send a special team, led by Kenya, to help bring peace to Haiti.
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What's Happening in Haiti?
Since May 2020, the capital city of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, has been caught in a serious conflict. This conflict is between large, organized groups known as gangs. These groups are fighting each other for control. The main groups involved are the G9 and G-Pep. Their battles have made life very difficult for the people living in the city.
The Main Groups Involved
The two biggest groups fighting are the G9 (short for Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies) and G-Pep. Each of these main groups also has smaller groups that support them. They are all trying to gain more power and control over different parts of Port-au-Prince. This struggle for control has led to a lot of violence.
Citizens Step Up: The Bwa Kale Movement
As the fighting between the gangs grew, ordinary citizens decided they had to do something. They formed a movement called bwa kale. This group of people started fighting back against the gangs. They wanted to protect their communities and stop the violence that was affecting their daily lives. It was a way for people to try and take back control of their neighborhoods.
International Help Arrives
The situation in Haiti became so serious that the United Nations decided to get involved. In October 2023, the UN Security Council approved a plan to send help. This help is called a "multinational security support mission." It's a special team made up of people from different countries, led by Kenya. Their goal is to help Haiti's government and security forces bring peace and safety back to the country.
Recent Events: March 2024
In March 2024, the violence in Port-au-Prince got even worse. The gangs started new attacks across the city.
Why Did Things Get Worse?
The gangs launched these new attacks with a clear goal. They wanted to make the leader of the country, acting prime minister Ariel Henry, step down from his position. This led to a very dangerous situation in the capital.
What Happened Next?
During these attacks, the gangs did some very serious things. They broke into two prisons and let thousands of prisoners out. These attacks, and others on government buildings, made the Haitian government declare a state of emergency. This meant they put special rules in place, like a curfew, where people had to stay indoors at night. On March 11, Ariel Henry agreed to resign once a new temporary government is set up.
Images for kids
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The widespread activity of non-state armed groups in Haiti dates back to the Duvalier dynasty (François Duvalier pictured in 1963).
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Observers generally believed that the G9 alliance was supported by Jovenel Moïse and the PHTK party (banner celebrating Moise's inauguration pictured).
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Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier in 2024
