Gang war in Haiti facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gang war in Haiti
Clashes between 2023–2024
Date 24 May 2020 – present (5 years, 1 week and 6 days) Location Haiti Status Ongoing

Since 2020, Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince has been the site of an ongoing gang war between two major criminal groups and their allies: the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies (FRG9 or G9) and the G-Pep. The Government of Haiti and Haitian security forces have struggled to maintain their control of Port-au-Prince amid this conflict, with gangs reportedly controlling up to 90% of the city by 2023. In response to the escalating gang fighting, an armed vigilante movement, known as bwa kale, also emerged, with the purpose of fighting the gangs. On 2 October 2023, United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699 was approved, authorizing a Kenya-led "multinational security support mission" to Haiti.

In March 2024, gang violence spread throughout Port-au-Prince with the goal of obtaining the resignation of acting prime minister Ariel Henry, leading to the storming of two prisons and the release of thousands of prisoners. These attacks and subsequent attacks on various government institutions led the Haitian government to declare a state of emergency and impose a curfew. On 11 March, Henry agreed to resign once a transitional government is formed.

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