Gang attack kills 30 in Kenscoff, Haiti, as election preparations continue
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At least 30 people were killed when a gang coalition attacked the farming community of Kenscoff, south of Port-au-Prince, late Sunday. Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon said armed men set homes on fire and targeted a church and residences. The attack comes as Haiti prepares for its first general election in more than a decade, planned for January.
Key Facts
- At least 30 people were killed in the attack on Kenscoff, according to officials.
- Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon blamed the attack on members of Viv Ansanm, a group designated a foreign terrorist organization by the United States last year.
- Gangs control an estimated 70 percent of Port-au-Prince, and UN data shows gang violence has displaced 1.5 million people across Haiti.
- More than 3,100 people were reported killed and 1,189 injured from January to June in gang-related violence.
- Haiti's prime minister's office on Monday condemned the attack and said security forces were on high alert with reinforcements being deployed.
The Kenscoff Attack
A powerful gang coalition mounted a deadly attack on Kenscoff, a farming community south of Port-au-Prince, late on Sunday. Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon said armed men set homes on fire and killed residents, targeting a church and homes including that of Jean William Pape, a leading public health expert. Massillon blamed the attack on members of Viv Ansanm, a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States government last year. Viv Ansanm has repeatedly targeted Kenscoff, which occupies a strategic position overlooking routes into Petion-Ville, where several embassies, upscale hotels, and the temporary seat of government are located.
Security and Displacement
Gangs control an estimated 70 percent of Port-au-Prince, according to the report. A United Nations-backed gang suppression force is mandated to help police fight the gangs and restore order, but it has not yet reached its full capacity of 5,500 members. According to the UN, gang violence has displaced 1.5 million people across Haiti. More than 3,100 people were reported killed and 1,189 injured from January to June as gangs continued a reign of terror in Port-au-Prince.
Government Response and Elections
Haiti's prime minister's office on Monday condemned the attack and sought to reassure Haitians that security forces were on high alert and reinforcements were being deployed. A statement from the prime minister's office said, "Kenscoff will not be abandoned. The government's authority will be restored, without weakness and without delay." Haitians have been registering to vote in elections planned in January, but experts have warned it is currently too dangerous to hold the vote.
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Gang attack kills 30 in Kenscoff, Haiti, as election preparations continue
