Three UN peacekeepers wounded in Haiti; mission beefs up street presence

As the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) geared up for a “strong and visible” presence on the streets of Port-au-Prince ahead of the birthday of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide this weekend, three peacekeepers have been wounded in the gang-ridden Cité Soleil neighbourhood of the capital city.

Two of the Brazilian blue helmets were hit by gunfire as they patrolled a main avenue in the area and the third was shot manning a checkpoint yesterday. Today, peacekeepers exchanged fire with armed groups in the suburb of Cité Militaire.

In February 2004, an insurgency forced Mr. Aristide, who had been elected President, to go into exile, and led to the establishment of MINUSTAH to help re-establish peace in the impoverished Caribbean country.

The mission helped organize presidential elections this past February, which were won by René Préval after a turbulent vote-counting period. Despite political progress, armed gangs continue to dominate poor neighbourhoods and to threaten stability.