Haiti stands on the brink of complete collapse as a United Nations-backed security mission, led by Kenyan forces, confronts ferocious resistance from powerful criminal gangs controlling the capital. The strategic deployment aimed at stabilising the Caribbean nation has encountered immediate and brutal opposition from armed factions who have tightened their grip on Port-au-Prince.
Gang Warfare Paralyses Capital
Port-au-Prince has become a battleground where rival gangs exercise near-total control over vital infrastructure and daily life. Recent coordinated attacks have seen armed groups targeting police stations, government buildings, and the main international airport, forcing its closure and severing one of Haiti's last connections to the outside world.
Political Vacuum Deepens Crisis
The nation's instability has been exacerbated by the absence of elected officials and functioning democratic institutions since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Acting Prime Minister Ariel Henry, currently stranded outside the country, faces mounting pressure to resign as gangs demand his removal from power.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Unfolds
Essential services have collapsed across much of the country, with hospitals struggling to operate and food supplies becoming increasingly scarce. The United Nations reports that over 1,500 people have been killed in gang violence this year alone, while approximately 300,000 civilians have been displaced from their homes.
International Response Stalls
The Kenyan-led multinational force, authorised by the UN Security Council eight months ago, has faced repeated delays and logistical challenges. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has emphasised the "critical importance" of swift deployment, warning that further delays could prove catastrophic for Haiti's civilian population.
As diplomatic efforts intensify behind closed doors, ordinary Haitians endure increasingly desperate conditions, caught between warring gangs and a stalled international rescue mission that has yet to deliver on its promises of stability and security.
