Haiti extends state of emergency over security concerns

Haiti extends state of emergency after prison escape, as armed gangs clash with security forces, prompting protests calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Henry

According to the decree published after the Council of Ministers meeting, the state of emergency declared on March 4 was extended for one month to “reestablish” public order.

Police have taken extensive security measures on the streets of the capital, Port-au-Prince, conducting raids on locations where gang members are known to be.

Gunshots have been heard from various parts of the city due to the conflicts.

Meanwhile, the return date of Haiti’s Prime Minister Henry, who has been waiting in Puerto Rico since March 5 due to the continuation of gang violence in the country, has not yet been clarified.

Jimmy Cherizier, known as “Barbecue” and one of the gang leaders responsible for the escape of thousands of prisoners from the prison, had stated in his recent remarks that if Henry does not resign, “Haiti will either be a paradise for everyone or hell for everyone.”

Armed gangs, demanding the resignation of Henry, clashed with security forces on March 2 and 3 in attacks on two prisons near Port-au-Prince and Croix des Bouquets. During the clashes, around 4,000 prisoners escaped from the prison, and 12 people lost their lives.

The government had announced on March 4 that a state of emergency had been declared for 72 hours to capture the escaped criminals, and a curfew would be imposed at specific hours.

Cherizier’s gang had attempted to seize control of the airport in the capital multiple times to prevent Prime Minister Henry’s return to the country.

During the gang attacks, Henry was in Nairobi to evaluate the deployment of a multinational security force led by Kenya to Haiti.

Source: Newsroom

#haber#