Haiti Faces Governance Challenges Amidst Security Intervention
Haiti faces governance & security challenges after the 2021 presidential assassination, despite international intervention & a new UN-backed security force.
Lauren Collins ·
A Florida court convicted four individuals in May for their involvement in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse. This event contributed to a political vacuum and increased gang violence in Haiti.
International efforts include the deployment of a UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), with approximately 400 personnel from Chad already present. The GSF aims to restore basic security and re-establish state authority, with a planned strength of 5,500 personnel.
Between January and March
Despite these security measures, over half of Haiti's population faces food insecurity, and 1.4 million people are displaced. Between January and March, 1,642 individuals were killed and 745 injured, with gangs responsible for 27% of these casualties.
Haitian President Jovenel Mo
Elections, initially scheduled for August 30, have been indefinitely postponed due to security concerns. Premature elections are viewed as a risk, potentially undermining citizen confidence and representation.
Gang coalitions, such as Viv Ansanm, exert significant control over key infrastructure and public services, destabilizing the state. Haiti's justice system is largely dysfunctional, with 82% of detainees awaiting trial in 2025, highlighting the need for a transitional justice strategy.