Haiti's government scrambles to impose tight security measures as council inauguration imminent

(24 Apr 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Port-au-Prince, Haiti - 22 April 2024
1. Various, armored vehicles roll slowly past Haiti’s National Palace as gunshots can be heard
2. SOUNDBITE (Haitian Creole) Caseus Mirolle, local resident:
"In my entire life, this is the first time I see this insecurity in Haiti (at that level)."
3. Shot heard in street in front the National Palace, car and bike passing by
4. SOUNDBITE (Haitian Creole) Caseus Mirolle, local resident:
"Since 1986, Haiti is facing deplorable insecurity."
5. Caseus Mirolle walking and gunshots being heard nearby
6. Bus driving by
7. Pan of nearly empty street

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Port-au-Prince - 24 April 2024
8. Various of red metal sheets around the prime minister's office
9. Various police patrolling streets
10. People moving about
STORYLINE:
A council tasked with choosing a new prime minister and cabinet for Haiti is scheduled to be sworn in on Thursday as the government scrambles to impose tight security measures to prevent any injuries or deaths amid relentless gang violence.

On a recent day, armored vehicles rolled slowly past Haiti’s National Palace as police scanned the horizon for gangs.

Every day, bullets whiz past the area, striking buildings and people alike.

Caseus Mirolle, a local resident, said he hasn't seen Haiti with such a high level of insecurity before.

Gangs control most of the territory that surrounds the palace, but the transitional council charged with selecting Haiti's new leaders is demanding that its members be sworn in at the palace.

Officials continue to scramble to impose tight security measures, according to two high-ranking regional officials with knowledge of the matter who asked that their names be withheld because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The push to hold the ceremony at the palace is considered by some a show of force to suggest the Haitian government is still in charge despite marauding gangs who have previously attacked the palace and have promised to derail the ceremony as a daily barrage of gunfire persists in downtown Port-au-Prince.

AP video by Nikenson Duverge and Pierre Luxama

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