Celebrations erupted in Haiti’s Pont Sonde State after seven gang members were killed during an unplanned operation carried out by Kenyan and Haitian police personnel.
On Saturday, December 7, police officers from the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, along with the Haitian National Police (HNP), initiated an operation to recover the Petite-Rivière Police Station in Pont Sonde.
According to MSS Commander Godrey Otunge, the station had been inoperable for more than a year after being raided and burned down by gang members, who then used it as a hideout.
During the operation, a heavy shooting broke out between police officers and gang members.
Many gang members were killed during the firefight, while others were severely injured.
While speaking with journalists hours after the operation, Otunge thanked the Pont Sonde locals for their assistance and trust throughout the expedition.
“This collaboration between the population and security forces has proven that unity can overcome the threat of gangs,” Otunge stated.
“We assure the community that these operations and patrols will continue until lasting peace is restored throughout Artibonite,” he added.
He revealed that police personnel had kept the location under surveillance for three months after the Gran Grif gang massacred several residents on October 3.
Residents were inspired by this success and demanded more police action to entirely demolish the Gran Grif gang, which they claimed had long disrupted their quiet.
The current development comes in the wake of previous rumors that some police personnel under the MSS mission resigned due to bad working conditions, including late pay.
However, mission leader Otunge denied the charges, stating that the officers were completely dedicated to assisting the Haitian police in executing operations and reestablishing normalcy.
“We urge all stakeholders, including local and international media, to seek clarification directly from the MSS before publishing any reports. Our doors remain open for transparent communication,” Otunge wrote.
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