Kenyan Security Forces Shield Haiti PM Garry Conille in Fierce Gunfight with Gangs
Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille narrowly escaped harm on Monday after gangs opened fire near a hospital in Port-au-Prince during his visit.
The incident, which occurred while Conille was accompanied by Haitian National Police and members of a UN-backed Kenyan security force, highlights the ongoing instability in the Caribbean nation.
According to sources privy to the information, journalists were interviewing the interim prime minister at the hospital when gunshots rang out from a nearby neighborhood.
The security forces protecting Haiti’s leader swiftly responded by returning fire, allowing Conille’s motorcade to make a rapid departure from the hospital premises.
Video footage captured the tense moments, showing several police officers running for cover as the firefight with the gangs escalated.
The intensity of the exchange underscored the perilous conditions under which Haiti’s leaders and their security details operate daily. It has not been confirmed if there were any injuries resulting from the incident.
Shortly after the exchange, both Haitian and Kenyan police forces mobilized to the area from which the shots were fired, reinforcing their presence to prevent further violence.
The coordinated response demonstrated the effectiveness of the joint efforts between the Haitian police and the UN-backed Kenyan security force.
Prime Minister Conille had been at the General Hospital for an unannounced inspection of its operations when the attack occurred.
The hospital itself had been under gang control from late February until early July, when a successful police operation reclaimed the facility.
The PM’s visit was intended to assess the progress and security of the hospital, a vital institution for the community.
This brazen attack comes less than a week after the Kenyan government announced significant progress by the Kenyan police officers in curbing gang violence in Haiti.
The National Police Service (NPS) of Kenya released a statement revealing that their officers, part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, had successfully recaptured critical infrastructure from gang control.
“The MSS team comprising the National Police Service Officers and the Haiti Police has continued to register success as they combat gang activities and restore security in Haiti,” read part of the statement by the NPS. Among their achievements was the recapture of the Auorite Portuaire Nationale (APN) port from gang domination, a crucial victory in their ongoing mission.
As Haiti grapples with persistent gang violence and instability, the collaboration between Haitian forces and international support teams, including those from Kenya, remains vital.
Prime Minister Conille’s narrow escape underscores the continuing challenges and the urgent need for sustained efforts to restore peace and order in the beleaguered nation.
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Kenyan Security Forces Shield Haiti PM Garry Conille in Fierce Gunfight with Gangs
