In Port-au-Prince, the citizens are constantly caught in the midst of a severe gang war, and Monday, July 29th, was no exception. According to a report from The Star, on this day, Director General Normil Rameau of the Haitian National Police and Godfrey Otunge, the head of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, visited the General Hospital for an assessment. The hospital had been closed since March when gangs took control of the area.
The incident
While patrolling the National Hospital-APN Sea Port Road, Kenyan police encountered a truck being looted by suspected bandits. The truck, ferrying bags of rice, had been attacked, and its driver was shot by the looters. The Kenyan patrol team intervened, engaging in a firefight with the gangs. During the exchange, a Kenyan officer was injured by gunfire. The injured officer was quickly evacuated to the Life Support Area (LSA) hospital, where he received treatment and is now in stable condition, awaiting further medical care.
The gangs involved in the incident escaped into nearby tall buildings with serious and potentially life-threatening injuries.
This incident occurred shortly after Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille narrowly escaped unharmed when gangs opened fire near the hospital during his visit. Accompanied by CNN journalists, Conille was at the hospital when gunshots were heard. Security forces, including the Haitian National Police and a UN-backed Kenyan security force, provided cover for the Prime Minister’s safe departure.
In a joint statement, police commanders noted that there were no injuries or fatalities among the Haitian National Police and MSS contingent during the event. They also mentioned that the MSS and HNP continue to control the hospital, ensuring its security.
Way forward
The situation in Port-au-Prince remains tense, with the government and international forces working to stabilize the area and reclaim critical facilities from gang control. The Prime Minister had earlier declared a state of emergency in several gang-controlled municipalities, authorizing the deployment of security forces to restore order and state authority.