Haiti Gang Reportedly Kills 184 People Over Witchcraft Accusation

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Facts

  • At least 184 people, including 127 elderly residents, were killed between Dec. 6-8 in the Wharf Jérémie neighborhood of Cité Soleil, Port-au-Prince, following accusations of witchcraft leading to the death of a gang leader's son.[1][2]
  • The deaths were allegedly orchestrated by gang leader Jean Monel Felix, known as "King Micanor," who was reportedly advised by a voodoo priest that the elderly were causing his child's illness, according to the National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH).[1][3]
  • Without acknowledging the witchcraft allegations, Stéphanie Durjarric stated that the UN Secretary-General "strongly condemn[ed]" the deaths, and called on Haitian officials to both "conduct a thorough investigation," and "accelerate progress in the political transition" of the country.[2]
  • Haiti's death toll has now reached 5K people in 2024 while forcing over 700K people — half of them children — to flee their homes according to the UN's International Organization for Migration.[4][5]
  • Last month, Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille was removed by the country's ruling nine-member transitional presidential council after six months in the role, and replaced by Alix Didier Fils-Aimé. The Council was established in April after former Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned following gang uprisings.[6][7]

Sources: [1]Al Jazeera, [2]UN, [3]Reuters, [4]Barron's, [5]IOM Haiti, [6]BBC News and [7]CEPR.

Narratives

  • Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Concern USA and Washington Post. The global community continues to do little to resolve Haiti's ongoing crisis. Humanitarian workers are doing their best amid attempts by a Kenyan-led security mission to secure peace and stop the gangs, but their operations are underfunded and understaffed with little sign of urgency from external observers to find a solution. The world must step up in its response if the global community is to see an end to this tragedy.
  • Pro-establishment narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera and The Hill. History has repeatedly shown that foreign intervention is not a credible long-term solution to Haiti's troubles. Although the situation is dire, the Haitian people must be the ones to find a solution. The international community should continue to offer vital humanitarian assistance and support local communities while acknowledging that outside political interference will not solve internal division.