Description: The National Human Rights Defense Network (RNDDH) reported that police forces used two kamikaze drones to target gang leader Albert Steevenson or Djuma, killing more than 10 civilians in the impoverished area of Cite Soleil in Haiti’s capital, Port au Prince. The usage of drones was introduced by Haiti’s security forces earlier this year as part of the advanced methods to counter gang violence in the country. The civilian casualties from the operation raised key questions regarding accountability and operational preparedness of the country’s security forces. The attack arrives following an internationally led initiative by the US and Panama to strengthen Haiti’s security forces through a UN sponsored peacekeeping mission. The interim government in Haiti have so far only confirmed the presence of private military contractors in the country which would provide equipment and training and also be involved in gang suppression operations, while declining to comment on the recent fatal drone attack.
Impact: With the stalled UN peacekeeping initiative, the gang war in Haiti would further deteriorate the humanitarian and security situation in the country. The drone attack could throw a shade of doubt regarding the integrity and credibility of the security forces and also persuade civilians in other impoverished areas to join the gang movement which would significantly increase the capabilities of organizations such as Viv Ansanm which are constantly conducting armed attacks on government personnel. The presence of private military contractors in the country further delegitimizes the capabilities of the security forces and raises concerns over the legal aspects of the operations conducted by non – government personnel. So far, more than 1.3 million people have been displaced from the clashes between the security forces and the gangs while the country’s economy and humanitarian conditions were branded as catastrophic by the UN, earlier this year. The crisis would continue to devolve considering the stalled – out international efforts and the limited capacities of the domestic security services supported by the private military contractors.