FBI Offers Ksh129M Reward for Haiti Gang Leader as Violence Escalates
The United States has escalated its involvement in Haiti’s escalating gang violence by offering a $1 million (about Ksh129 million) reward for the capture of one of the country’s most infamous gang leaders.
Wilson “Lanmò Sanjou” Joseph, who leads the Gran Grif gang, has become a top FBI target. His gang’s ongoing attacks have left Haitians devastated, with the latest assault claiming 70 lives—one of the deadliest in recent months.
The announcement of the FBI bounty on Friday underscores a significant shift in U.S. government support for Haiti, aligning closely with a Kenya-led peacekeeping mission. The mission called the Multinational Security Support (MSS) operation, is focused on restoring stability in a country where gangs have seized control of many cities and towns, paralyzing daily life.
The brutal massacre in Pont-Sonde, a small town in western Haiti, occurred just hours before the reward announcement.
Local reports indicate that the Gran Grif gang launched its assault on Pont-Sonde on Thursday, using automatic weapons to spread terror among residents. The attack led to at least 45 homes and 34 vehicles being torched, with 10 women, three infants, and numerous others killed. Video footage captured the chaos as citizens fled in panic, using motorbikes and fleeing on foot to escape the violence.
The United Nations confirmed that 16 people were critically injured during the attack, which has left many homeless and in dire need of aid. Hunger and widespread displacement are now key concerns as the crisis in Haiti deepens.
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Haiti’s Prime Minister, Garry Conille, has vowed to take a hard stance against the gangs that have terrorized the nation for years. “We will continue to pursue those who believe they can act with impunity relentlessly,” Conille stated, reiterating the government’s dedication to restoring security. The UN also called for a “robust use of force” against these armed groups that have paralyzed the country’s infrastructure and basic services.
The Gran Grif gang, estimated to have around 100 members, has gained notoriety for its violent actions. In January 2023, it attacked a nearby police station, killing six officers. The gang is also held responsible for the forced shutdown of a hospital that served over 700,000 people. Both Joseph and the gang’s founder are facing U.S. sanctions as international efforts grow to dismantle their influence.
The U.S. Embassy in Haiti strongly condemned the gang violence, affirming that the United States would continue to back Haiti’s security forces and the MSS mission. In a Friday statement, the embassy committed to supporting the Haitian National Police as they fight to regain control from the gangs destabilizing the nation.
Leading the MSS mission, Kenya has deployed 1,000 police officers to restore order in Haiti. The deployment, involving 2,500 officers from various countries, was approved for a one-year term, with a review in nine months. Since its June launch, the mission has sparked cautious optimism, though Haitian authorities still face the daunting challenge of tackling escalating violence.
As Haiti’s crisis intensifies, concerns are mounting about the humanitarian fallout. Many have called for urgent intervention beyond policing, emphasizing the need for aid to address hunger and displacement. Despite these efforts, the gangs remain defiant, continuing their relentless attacks on the Haitian populace.
FBI Offers Ksh129M Reward for Haiti Gang Leader as Violence Escalates
