A gang coalition raid in the community of Kenscoff killed at least 47 people and injured 22 others [1, 2].
The violence underscores the volatility of the region and raises significant concerns regarding the security of upcoming elections scheduled for December.
Armed men targeted the town of Kenscoff, located on the hills above Port-au-Prince, during the weekend of Aug. 22-24, 2024 [3, 4]. The attacks resulted in a high number of casualties and disappearances. Reports indicate that more than 50 people were kidnapped during the raid [5].
A significant portion of the deaths occurred in a single location. According to reports, 40 people were killed while hiding inside a church [1]. While some reports from The Globe and Mail cited at least 30 deaths [6], other sources confirmed the higher toll of 47 [1, 2].
Residents of the community have expressed anger toward the government. They said authorities failed to provide necessary protections to prevent the massacre. The raid comes amid a broader pattern of gang coalitions expanding their influence beyond the capital city into surrounding hill towns.
The attack has left the community in shock as families search for the missing. Local residents said the lack of security forces in the area allowed the armed men to operate with little resistance during the weekend of the attack.
“40 people were killed while hiding inside a church”
The massacre in Kenscoff demonstrates the inability of the Haitian state to protect rural and peri-urban areas from gang expansion. By targeting a church—traditionally a place of sanctuary—the attackers signaled a total disregard for civilian safety. This instability creates a critical barrier to the December elections, as voter turnout and polling security are nearly impossible to guarantee in regions where gang coalitions operate with impunity.
