Haitian Gang 400 Mawozo Asks State Group For Dialogue Amid 2,000 Salvadoran Troop Deployment
The armed group wrote to the National Commission for Disarmament on Friday, citing a desire for peace while Salvadoran forces operate in Port-au-Prince.
By Andrew Hayes ·
One of Haiti's most powerful armed groups contacted a state agency on Friday to open discussions on peace and reconciliation. The 400 Mawozo gang sent a three-page letter to the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration, asking to begin a national dialogue. The group stated that this outreach is an act of patriotic responsibility to save lives, not a sign of defeat.
The commission confirmed that an individual contacted them on behalf of the gang. It noted that any dialogue must follow the roadmap proposed by the government. The commission works alongside the office of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, who leads the current administration.
The letter arrived as violence continued in Port-au-Prince. Fils-Aimé announced late Friday on social media that one gang leader was killed in recent clashes. He did not name the leader, but a local human rights group identified him as Mathias, the head of the smaller Nan Boston gang in Cité Soleil. The prime minister wrote, “The gangs won’t be getting any sleep!”
Wilson Joseph, the leader of 400 Mawozo, first reached out to the United Nations secretary-general on Nov. 1. In that communication, Joseph requested a U.N. delegation to mediate between parties. He expressed concern that the presence of Salvadoran troops might escalate the conflict. The gang, which calls itself a rebel group, plans to hold a peaceful demonstration later this month to prepare for peace negotiations.
The outreach follows the deployment of more than 2,000 Salvadoran troops to Haiti. El Salvador sent these forces after four aviation technicians from the country were attacked and disappeared on Oct. 18 in gang-controlled territory. The United Nations stated that most of the Salvadoran personnel operate outside the framework of the U.N.-backed gang suppression force. That force works with Haiti’s police and military, as well as Vectus Global, a private security firm founded by former U.S. Navy SEAL and Blackwater founder Erik Prince.
A spokesperson for 400 Mawozo told The Associated Press that the group is willing to engage in peace talks. The person, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said disarmament is a process. When asked what the group wants in exchange for peace, the spokesperson said it seeks the end of what it called “international interference.”
The letter criticized social media posts targeting the home of Joseph, who is also known as Lanmò Sanjou. The gang described the house as a symbol of peace in its de-escalation process. It called on all parties to respect international obligations regarding the protection of civilians and civilian property. The document referenced specific articles in the Geneva Conventions and the U.N. Charter.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele responded to a social media post on Friday that allegedly showed Joseph's home. Bukele wrote, “Where is that house? Give us the exact address, and we’ll destroy it.” The Salvadoran government declined to comment when reached by The Associated Press on Friday night.
400 Mawozo asked that all relevant military forces suspend operations in certain areas pending the start of dialogue. The group said this pause would allow for de-escalation and protect civilian populations while a lasting political solution is sought. The United Nations and human rights groups have accused 400 Mawozo of raping, killing, and kidnapping people, charges the gang has denied.
