Haiti Conflict: 400 Mawozo Gang Seeks Dialogue With Government
The armed group wrote to state officials demanding a pause in military operations, citing fears that Salvadoran troops are escalating violence.
By Eric Collins ·
More than 2,000 Salvadoran troops are currently deployed in Haiti, a fact that has intensified tensions between foreign forces and local armed groups. The 400 Mawozo gang, one of the most powerful factions in the country, announced Friday that it has formally contacted the Haitian government's disarmament agency. The group aims to initiate talks focused on peace and national reconciliation.
In a three-page statement sent to The Associated Press, the gang emphasized that entering negotiations is an act of patriotic responsibility rather than a sign of weakness. The group, which identifies as a rebel force, stated that dialogue is not capitulation. It plans to hold a peaceful demonstration later this month to prepare for broader peace negotiations.
Wilson Joseph, the gang leader known by the alias Lanmò Sanjou, wrote to the U.N. secretary-general on Nov. 1 requesting a delegation for mediation. Joseph expressed concern that the presence of Salvadoran soldiers could worsen the violence. The 400 Mawozo group asked all relevant military forces to suspend operations targeting specific areas while talks begin.
Haiti’s National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration confirmed that an individual contacted the agency on behalf of the armed group. The commission stated that it works under the prime minister's office and must follow the government's proposed roadmap for any dialogue with armed groups.
The diplomatic outreach occurred while fighting continued in Port-au-Prime. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced on X late Friday that a gang leader was killed in a joint police operation. The National Police identified the deceased as Mathias, the leader of the Boston gang, who operated out of the Cité Soleil slum. The prime minister wrote on X that the gangs would not be getting any sleep.
Police said several gang members were injured or killed in the operation and urged residents to surrender illegal weapons. A spokesperson for 400 Mawozo, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press that the group is willing to negotiate. The spokesperson described disarmament as a long process and said the group seeks peace and an end to what it calls international interference.
The gang also raised concerns about social media posts targeting Joseph's home. El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele responded to a tagged post showing the house by asking for the exact address so it could be destroyed. The 400 Mawozo group called for all parties to respect international obligations to protect civilian property, citing the Geneva Conventions and the U.N. Charter. The El Salvadoran government declined to comment on Friday.
