The United Nations has warned of escalating violence in Haiti as gangs continue to gain control of the impoverished Caribbean nation.
In a report submitted to the UN Security Council, it is estimated that gangs now control 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The UN has warned of a “total state collapse.”
“We have continued to witness a sharp erosion of state authority and the rule of law. Brutal gang violence affects every aspect of public and private life,” Miroslav Jenča, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, told a Security Council meeting. “Without increased action by the international community, the total collapse of state presence in the capital could become a very real scenario.”
Ghada Fathy Waly, Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, reported that criminal groups have expanded their attacks into previously peaceful areas.
“As gang control expands, the state’s capacity to govern is rapidly shrinking, with social, economic, and security implications,” said Waly. She warned that criminal gangs have stepped into the void left by the state, establishing parallel governance structures and providing rudimentary public services.
This comes as the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, spearheaded by Kenyan forces, is reportedly struggling to contain the gangs.
The Kenyan forces recently marked their first anniversary in the gang-torn nation, having arrived on June 25, 2024. Their challenges are attributed to inadequate funding and understaffing, with only 40% of the originally envisioned 2,500 personnel currently deployed.
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These limitations have hampered efforts to restore order. Since the start of the year, the UN Integrated Office in Haiti has recorded the deaths of over 4,000 individuals—a 24% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
In response to the gangs, there has been a rapid increase in the number and activities of private security companies and vigilante self-defense groups. While some aim to protect their communities, others operate illegally and collude with gangs.
Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, has suffered from political instability for decades. The surge in gang violence led to the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry in 2024. He was replaced by a fragile transitional council, which is mandated to prepare for elections by February 2026. The country’s last elections were held in 2016.
– By Anthony Mwangi
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