Haiti Security Situation -March 9

The security situation throughout Haiti remain complex and had the potential to deteriorate at any given time due to:

  • 48  hours (March 9-10) strike called by the opposition platform ” Table de concertation de l’opposition democratique”
  • 2 days demonstrations (March 13, 15) called by some opposition organizations to demand the diminution of the high  fuel prices and the departure of President Martelly. The also want to protest again the costs of living.

There is also clear indication of:

  • ongoing complaints from business owners of extortion and harassment by criminal elements operating in areas of critical lawlessness, rife with criminality and violence.

While the number of incidents rise, targets sets and tactics remain to this point fairly consistent, murders, shootings, kidnaps and intimidation.

Target profiles have also remain constant with former GOH officials remaining prime. Direct incident involving HNP officers also increased for the past two (2) months, which on balance is in line with the increased total numbers of incidents. This has the potential to spread to international and humanitarian actors.

Tensions are also exacerbated as the number of high profile politicians and journalists have been included in a hit list.

There is a clear link between political related violence and criminal activities.

Frame1

48 hours strike called by political organizations for March 9-10

 

The political platform ” Table de concertation de l’opposition demoncratique”  and other civil organizations have called for a 48 hours strike starting March 9 to March 10. For the past 2 days, there has been violent tracks on the streets of Port-au-Prince warning the citizens to stay home in order to avoid violence and clashes.

In response to this situation, Police Chief Godson Aurelus made it clear to the population that  the HNP is preparing to secure the streets of Haiti’s capital.

Frame1