The International Observatory for Democracy and Governance (OIDG) alerts national and international opinion to a dangerous process of infiltration of members of armed gangs within the population of the commune of Gressier in the approach of the intervention of the forces of the Multinational Mission, in a context where the situation of generalized insecurity is taking on worrying proportions, several other communes in the country are facing the same process.

"For the Observatory, it is a question of drawing attention to a change in strategy of armed bandits aimed at assimilating with local populations, thus making their arrest by the order forces."

The OIDG team has informed sources that "this new strategy is part of a preparation plan with a view to better confronting the forces of the Multinational Mission which will be deployed on the national territory alongside the Haitian National Police (PNH) in the coming days."

The OIDG also learned that the gangs, through their new modus operandi and their infiltration within local populations, "intend to create human shields to protect themselves from the intervention of Mission forces multinational company. These armed groups, who want to be reassuring, ask members of the population to stay at home and not to travel, making them believe that they are safe there."

Furthermore, OIDG observers on site noted that around 10 houses including 6 in Merger and 4 in Gressier belonging to PMH agents were confiscated or looted and set on fire by the bandits.

"It is clear that these armed gangs will use numerous strategies to continue to exist during the presence of the MMSS in the country," affirms the OIDG

The International Observatory for Democracy and Governance specifies that this information was collected by its observers in the field, from June 3rd to 8, 2024.

HL/ HaitiLibre