Armed groups vandalize electricity substation in Haiti

The Electricity of Haiti (EDH) has apologized to consumers in various communities as well as in the capital after their electricity supply had been disrupted due to the actions of “heavily armed individuals”

In a statement, the EDH said that the armed persons had invaded its CarrefourFeuilles Substation, on the pretext that their zones were not being supplied with electricity

But it said that once inside the building they threatened security guards and service technicians, who were forced to flee the premises, and that the building was looted and operating equipment vandalized

Justice was declared a lawless zone

“The normalization of the functioning of the Court of First Instance of Port-au-Prince has never taken place,” the Council said reminding the various stakeholders who hasten “to maliciously evoke the virtue of dialogue with outlaws with a view to their reintegration, that in view of the seriousness of the crimes committed over time, including in particular rape, torture, the forced displacement of populations, impunity cannot be the condition of forgivenes”

The situation in Haiti where political instability has rocked the country since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenelle Moise will be among matters discussed when leaders from the United States and Canada meet in Ottawa next week ”

The White House said in a statement that President Joe Biden will travel to Ottawa from March 23-24 and will reaffirm the United States’ commitment to the U.S.-Canada partnership and promote our shared security, shared prosperity, and shared values

EDH said as a result, the substation has become inoperative and that several areas of the capital are no longer being supplied with electricity It said subscribers in a number of communities, including Carrefour-Feuilles, Savanne Pistache, Decayette, Route des Dalles, Rue Fouchard, and Fort Mercredi, are also affected

“Such actions, far from satisfying the electricity needs of local residents, only make EDH’s difficulties more complicated because the operating equipment of the substations is expensive and difficult to repair or replace,” the EDH said, assuring subscribers of its willingness to resume service as soon as possible

Haiti’s Prime Minister Dr Ariel Henry has called on the international community to support efforts to deal with the ongoing socioeconomic and political situation in his country

He said to deal with this situation, his administration urged the international community to participate in a specialized multinational force to help the Haitian security forces to fight against the proliferation of organized crime, the illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition, and eradicate the gangs that have held the country, hostage