(Radio France International).- Under pressure from the international community (especially from the US and the Caribbean Community, CARICOM), facing a wave of unprecedented gang violence in his country, the interviewed Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned on March 11, 2024. This paved the way for the political transition. This process was entrusted to the Transitional Presidential Council. The CPT, consisting of 9 members, including 2 civil society observers, was sworn in on 25 April 2024. It must form a government and organize elections to hand over the keys to the country no later than February 7, 2026.

But the Presidential Council, engulfed in internal strife, cannot impose itself and be recognized as a political authority who will take over the reins of Haiti. Officially, until a new government is formed, the ministers who resigned from the previous one remain in their posts, and current affairs are managed by them. Michel Patrick Boisvertby name interim prime minister. “The climate on the streets of Port-au-Prince shows that the country is waiting for new leaders. We don’t know what the new authorities are waiting for to make themselves known,” writes the newspaper Le Nouvelliste.

For Markendi Pierre-Louis, general coordinator of the socio-political organization Force Artibonite 2020CPT members primarily pursue their own personal interests. “Some council members consider it their private property.” Other Haitians, such as Professor Joanes Clairesius, believe the new team should be given time.

How did the Transitional Presidential Council respond to criticism against it?

“There is no internal struggle in the Council”, explains presidential adviser Leslie Wolter, “but rather fights within those sectors that sent their representatives to the CPT. In response to a question about the impatience of Haitians who are tired of insecurity and violence, Leslie Walter He says he understands them, but adds: “We don’t have a magic wand” If the security situation improves, he says Haitians will regain confidence in their authorities. “I think we can take quick action, action that will show that we are going to end corruption And impunity; “We need some major action to restore trust.”

What is the security situation in the country?

In accordance with UNthe first quarter of 2024 was very cruelat least since 1660 people killed, which is 50% more than in the last quarter of 2023. The Global NGO Initiative to Combat Transnational Organized Crime even puts the death toll at 2,500. Gangs continue to control more 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas. Attacks on civilians and government institutions continue, forcing residents of the capital to flee. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), more than 360,000 people were forced to leave their homesincluding more than 90,000 in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. UNICEF It is estimated that at least 50,000 children and their families have been forced to leave their homes since February 2024 alone.

RFI met with one of the displaced people in Cap-Haitien. He says he was running from the violence of a gang leader, Jimmy Cherizierpseudonym B-B-Q: “Burn houses, kill people, rape women…. “He burned down almost my entire house and I had to flee Port-au-Prince with my wife.” This story is similar to many others. A refugee woman from Les Cayes in southern Haiti told us: “I was at home when the bandits invaded. They attacked my husband and killed him… They then set the house on fire. I fled with my three children and took refuge in Jérémie. I live with a friend. I have nothing, I have no family here. “I implore the authorities to restore security.”

But gang violence is not limited to the capital. Armed groups are also multiplying in Bass-Artibonite, north of Port-au-Prince. In this department, the largest rice-growing area in the country, some residents live self-defense groups to protect yourself from gangs, as André Saint-Louis, who lives in Jean-Denis, explains.

What stage is the deployment of the multinational force at?

After several months of negotiations, in particular about finding a country willing to take over the leadership of this operation, on October 7, 2023. UN Security Council approved the dispatch of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMAS). The purpose of this squad, consisting of police officers, is to support Haitian National Police (PNH) in the fight against gangs. The security situation in Haiti and political and legal obstacles in Kenya are delaying the launch of this mission. According to the Government of Kenya, the first contingent of police is scheduled to arrive.”in the coming days and weeks” According to information collected by RFI, this will be 200 men. Preparations are underway. Logistics is carried out by the company USAwhich, like other Western countries, refused to send troops to Haiti.

In accordance with Leslie Walterone of the nine members of the Transitional Presidential Council, Kenyan police officers “will work with the PNH to train Haitian police to ensure airportHe portHe National Palace, ministries and unlock roads” This first contingent will later be joined by other police officers from Kenya, Benin, Bangladesh, Argentina, the Bahamas, Jamaica and Barbados,” explains Leslie Wolter. If this is not enough to restore security in the country, these troops will help the Haitians regain trust,” the presidential adviser emphasizes.

PNC is preparing to work with a multinational force, which is “very welcome,” he explains. Lionel Lazarre, coordinator of the National Union of the Haitian Police (Sinapoha). “It’s no secret that The police force is facing difficult times. The Haitian National Police has a problem with funds and with equipment,” emphasizes the officer, who asks the political authorities to “take action” to correct the operational weakness of the Haitian police.

What do Haitians think about the multinational force?

The population realizes that the Haitian police are completely overwhelmed by gang violence and need international reinforcement. But like this Port-au-Prince resident who spoke to RFI, many Haitians fear new confrontations. “1,000 Kenyan police won’t be enough to keep the gangs away,” he explains. “Personally, I’m afraid to move because we risk getting stray bullets.”

For Marie Rosey Auguste Doucenatprogram manager National Network for the Defense of Human Rights (RNDDH), the majority of the population is eagerly awaiting the emergence of this force. “They hope this will help them take a break from the catastrophic situation they find themselves in.” However, the lawyer warns against repeating the mistakes of the past: “this force must be controlled by serious authorities.” Given the existence of connections “between some gangs and the police authorities,” he calls for the dismissal of the head of the PNKh. Franz Elbawhich, she said, had lost all legitimacy to work with those in charge of the multinational force.

How do the gangs react to the arrival of the international police?

They say they are ready to confront them. One of its leaders Jimmy Cherizier, aka Barbecuehead of a coalition of gangs called “Live ensemble“, in an interview with an American radio station NPR He has promised a long fight and expects foreign police to tire and eventually leave. One of the leaders of the Mariani gang, Tigresssaid the same thing in an interview with France 24: “Here we are at home, this is our territory, our ancestors are with us… and we are ready for war” Like Barbacoa, who declares herself a revolutionary, Tigres rejects accusations of massacres and denies terrorizing the population.