UN says Haiti gang expansion halted but threat persists amid fragile security gains

Lead

United Nations experts say that intensified security operations in Haiti have halted the expansion of powerful armed gangs in the capital, Port-au-Prince, but warn that the gains remain fragile and that gangs are adapting to the pressure. The assessment comes as the Chadian government announces a significant troop contribution to the UN-backed security force, and as Haitian officials cite concrete improvements in the capital.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting from three outlets — Africa News, France 24 English, and a second Africa News piece — presents a consistent picture of a security situation that has stabilized but is far from resolved. All sources agree that gangs control the vast majority of Port-au-Prince, a claim repeated across multiple reports. They also converge on the grim human toll: at least 5,519 people were killed in Haiti between March 2025 and January 2026, according to a UN Human Rights report cited by both Africa News and France 24.

Where the coverage differs is in emphasis. One Africa News article focuses on Chad's announcement of 1,500 troops, framing the story around the international response. Another Africa News piece highlights the Haitian Prime Minister's positive statement to the Security Council, reporting that police now control 72% of the city. France 24, meanwhile, centers its coverage on the UN expert report, detailing both the progress and the persistent threats.

Key Claims

Anti-gang operations have slowed gang expansion. The UN expert report, as summarized by France 24, states that "intensified security efforts by Haitian authorities, alongside nearly a year of drone strikes enabled by international private contractors, and the actions of self-defence groups, have slowed the advance of gangs in the capital." However, the report also notes that "security gains remain fragile and risk reversal without sustained pressure."

Gangs control the vast majority of Port-au-Prince. This claim appears in both Africa News articles and France 24, with one Africa News report stating that gangs "control almost all of the capital." The UN human rights office said last month that one in four Haitians lived in areas controlled by criminal gangs, as cited by Africa News.

Drone strikes have been used against gangs. France 24 reports that the security efforts have included "nearly a year of drone strikes enabled by international private contractors." This is not mentioned in the Africa News pieces, but is consistent with the overall picture of a multi-faceted crackdown.

Gang members have extorted civilians while disguised as police. France 24 reports that gangs have used such tactics, including kidnappings for ransom, as they adapt to security pressure. This claim is single-sourced so far.

Chad is sending 1,500 troops to Haiti. Africa News reports that Chadian President Mahamat Idriss Deby announced the deployment, saying "the state will contribute to this force with two battalions of 750 personnel each, for a total of 1,500 men." The force, known as the Gang Suppression Force, aims to increase to 5,500 personnel.

Haitian police now control 72% of the city. Africa News reports this figure, attributed to Haitian police, in the context of the Prime Minister's statement to the Security Council. This is a single-source claim and not yet independently verified.

Elections have not been held in Haiti since 2016. Africa News reports that Haiti has not held elections since 2016, primarily because of poor security. The UN Special Representative stresses that "elections remain the only legitimate path back to constitutional order," as quoted by Africa News.

Perspectives

The UN expert report, as relayed by France 24, offers a cautiously optimistic but sobering view: gains have been made, but gangs are adjusting — avoiding public appearances and social media, moving to remote areas, and tightening control over remittance facilities. The report also flags "a significant number of casualties, including among non-gang members" from security operations.

Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, quoted by Africa News, strikes a more positive tone, telling the Security Council that "concrete results are starting to emerge" thanks to the national armed forces, police, and the gang suppression force. "Several areas in the capital are slowly being retaken," he said.

The African perspective, represented by Africa News, emphasizes the international dimension, particularly Chad's pledge of troops. The report frames the deployment as part of a broader peacekeeping tradition, citing Chad's past operations against Boko Haram.

Conclusion

While the security situation in Port-au-Prince appears to have stabilized somewhat, all sources agree that the threat from gangs persists and could easily escalate again without sustained international and national effort. The reported progress — from halting gang expansion to retaking parts of the capital — is real but fragile, and the human cost remains staggering.