Haiti’s government has extended the state of emergency to the entire country as violent gangs continue to take control of large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and try to expand their reach into other regions. This comes ahead of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Haiti, where he’ll meet with Prime Minister Garry Conille to discuss the country’s path toward a democratic transition.

Since the new government formed just three months ago, Prime Minister Conille has been working to restore order in a nation deeply affected by conflict. Nearly 580,000 people have been displaced by gang violence, and the UN reports that around five million Haitians are facing severe hunger.

Mr. Blinken’s visit happens as over a million people in Port-au-Prince are without electricity. A group of protesters stormed a power plant earlier this week, frustrated by ongoing power outages, further adding to the chaos.

The U.S. has been a key supporter of a UN-backed security mission aimed at tackling Haiti’s gang violence. In a dramatic incident earlier this year, armed gangs stormed two of Haiti’s largest prisons, releasing about 3,700 inmates. To help the country, 400 Kenyan police officers arrived in June and July, marking the first wave of a 2,500-strong international force approved by the UN to support Haitian authorities.

Despite the efforts, the situation remains critical, with the state of emergency now covering the entire Ouest Department, including the capital. The world watches as Haiti continues to fight for peace and stability amidst overwhelming challenges.

This article is based on https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgwv0232ppo, dated September 5th 2024