At least 47 people have been killed, 22 injured and more than 50 kidnapped in a deadly gang attack in Kenscoff, a hillside community near Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, according to the United Nations.
The attack took place on the evening of August 23, when armed gang members reportedly set homes on fire, killed residents and targeted a church and several houses. Local officials blamed the violence on Viv Ansanm, a powerful gang alliance designated as a foreign terrorist organisation by the United States.
Kenscoff Mayor Jean Massillon said the attackers “sowed chaos” across the community. Among those targeted was the home of Jean William Pape, a prominent public health expert.
Residents have accused local police of failing to protect them, particularly because some of the killings occurred close to a police station. They have called for the police chief to resign.
One survivor, Marc Paul, said several members of his family were kidnapped during the attack. He also said his 16-year-old niece was abducted and raped before escaping and reuniting with the family.
The gang violence has displaced thousands of people from Kenscoff, which occupies a strategic position overlooking routes into Port-au-Prince. The area has experienced around a dozen attacks since last year.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the violence, saying it highlights Haiti’s “alarming security situation” and the urgent need for stronger Haitian and international efforts to combat armed gangs.
Haiti’s government has promised to strengthen security in Kenscoff, declaring that “Kenscoff will not be abandoned” and vowing to restore government authority.
The attack comes as Haiti prepares for its first general election in more than a decade, amid continuing instability and the growing influence of armed gangs.
.jpeg)
.jpeg "Sunayen kofofin aljanna guda takwas 8")
0 Comment about the Post: