Haiti

Background reviewed 2026-10-23 · Background as of 2026-10

Background

Armed gangs have expanded their control over much of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding regions, especially since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. A coordinated gang offensive in early 2024 led to the resignation of the prime minister and the creation of a Transitional Presidential Council.

A Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission arrived in June 2024 but remained under-resourced. In September 2025 the UN Security Council authorised a larger Gang Suppression Force, whose first troops began arriving in 2026, with Chad among the contributing countries.

History

Haiti became the first independent Black republic in 1804 after a successful revolt against French colonial rule and slavery. Its history since then includes long periods of political instability, a US occupation from 1915 to 1934, and the Duvalier dictatorships from 1957 to 1986.

A UN stabilisation mission, MINUSTAH, was deployed from 2004 to 2017. The 2010 earthquake devastated Port-au-Prince, and a cholera epidemic followed. President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in July 2021; by January 2023 no elected national officials remained in office, and armed gangs expanded rapidly. In 2023 the UN Security Council authorised a multinational security support mission, led by Kenya, which began deploying in 2024.

Main parties

Haitian National Police and Armed Forces of Haiti — State security forces.
Armed gangs — Including the Viv Ansanm coalition formed in 2024, which UN reports describe as dominant in much of Port-au-Prince.
International security forces — The Kenya-led MSS mission and its successor, the Gang Suppression Force.

Key dates

2010-01-12 — A major earthquake devastates Port-au-Prince.
2021-07-07 — President Jovenel Moïse is assassinated.
2024-02-29 — Gangs launch coordinated attacks on prisons, the airport and state sites.
2024-04 — A Transitional Presidential Council is installed.
2024-06-25 — The first Kenyan police officers of the MSS mission arrive.
2025-09-30 — The UN Security Council authorises a Gang Suppression Force.
2026 — The first contingents of the Gang Suppression Force deploy.

Humanitarian situation

More than a million people have been displaced by gang violence, many living in makeshift sites in Port-au-Prince. Kidnapping, sexual violence and blocked roads have cut access to food, health care and schools, and large parts of the population face acute food insecurity.

How to read reports about Haiti

Gang names and leaders change frequently; we use the names in the linked reports.
Many events are reported by neighbourhood (for example Cité Soleil or Delmas) rather than by city.

Recent events

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