At least 70 people have been killed and 3,000 forced to flee when armed men belonging to the Gran Grif gang attacked a town in central Haiti, according to the UN Human Rights Office. The attack occurred in Pont-Sonde, 100km northwest of Port-au-Prince, with at least 16 people seriously injured, including two gang members. The gang members used automatic rifles to shoot at the population, killing 70 people, including women and infants. The UN expressed horror at the attack, with the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, also condemning it.
Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille denounced the attack as an “odious crime against defenceless women, men, and children,” stating that it was not only an attack against the victims but against the entire Haitian nation. He vowed that those who sow terror would not break their resolve to live in peace, security, and justice. Additional security forces, supported by an international policing mission, were deployed to deal with the attack. Gran Grif’s leader, Luckson Elan, blamed the government and victims for remaining passive, claiming that the fault lies with the state and the residents of Pont-Sonde.
The motive for the attack remains unclear, but similar attacks in the capital are typically linked to turf wars between rival gangs. Pont-Sonde is considered part of Gran Grif’s territory and is a major rice-producing area in Haiti’s Artibonite region. Artibonite has experienced some of the country’s worst violence outside of Port-au-Prince, exacerbating hunger in a nation where half the population faces severe food shortages. The UN Human Rights Office reported that over 3,600 people have been killed in gang violence so far this year, with at least 700,000 people displaced as a result.
The UN has sanctioned Luckson Elan, the leader of Gran Grif, and called for accountability for the attack in Pont-Sonde. The organization has also emphasized the need for a comprehensive response to the crisis, including addressing root causes of violence and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable. The international community has expressed support for Haiti in addressing the ongoing security challenges and humanitarian crisis, with efforts focused on providing assistance to those affected by the violence. It is essential to address the underlying issues driving the violence in Haiti and work towards sustainable solutions to promote peace, security, and stability in the country.
The attack in Pont-Sonde highlights the ongoing insecurity and violence facing Haiti, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict between armed groups. The impact of such attacks on communities, especially in regions like Artibonite, has profound humanitarian consequences, exacerbating food shortages and displacement. The international community must continue to support Haiti in addressing the complex challenges it faces, including gang violence, poverty, and political instability. Efforts to promote dialogue, strengthen institutions, and improve security are crucial to addressing the root causes of violence and building a more peaceful and stable future for the people of Haiti.
