One of Haiti’s most powerful armed groups, the 400 Mawozo gang, announced Friday it has reached out to a state agency tasked with dismantling armed gangs, signaling a push for “peace, stability and national reconciliation.” The overture comes amidst persistent gunfights between Haitian police and foreign forces against gangs, and the recent killing of a rival gang leader.
In a three-page statement sent to The Associated Press, the 400 Mawozo gang emphasized that its initiative for dialogue “is not a capitulation,” but rather an “act of patriotic responsibility to preserve human lives.” The gang, which refers to itself as a rebel group, has previously faced accusations from the United Nations and human rights groups of involvement in rape, killing, and kidnapping, allegations it has denied.
The gang's leader, Wilson Joseph, best known as Lanmò Sanjou, had earlier communicated with the U.N. secretary-general on November 1, requesting the organization send a delegation to Haiti for dialogue and mediation. This request was made amid growing concerns that the presence of Salvadoran troops could further escalate the violence gripping the nation.
Haiti’s National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration confirmed to the AP that an individual had contacted them on behalf of the armed group. However, the commission clarified that it operates in conjunction with the prime minister's office, stating, “For any dialogue with armed groups, we must follow the roadmap proposed by the government.”
The announcement from 400 Mawozo coincided with ongoing intensified operations against gangs. Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announced late Friday on X that one gang leader had been killed. While he did not immediately identify the individual, a local human rights group later confirmed the deceased was Mathias, the leader of the Nan Boston gang, a smaller armed group based in the gang-controlled slum of Cité Soleil in Port-au-Prince. The Prime Minister underscored the government's resolve, writing, “The gangs won’t be getting any sleep!”
When asked by the AP if 400 Mawozo was prepared to lay down its weapons, a spokesperson for the gang, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issues, indicated a willingness to engage in peace negotiations, describing disarmament as a process. The spokesperson further stated that the gang seeks “peace and the end of what they called ‘international interference’.”
This development follows the deployment of more than 2,000 Salvadoran troops to Haiti weeks prior, after four Salvadoran aviation technicians disappeared on October 18 when they came under attack deep in gang territory. The United Nations has noted that most of the Salvadoran personnel in Haiti are operating outside the framework of the U.N.-backed gang suppression force, which collaborates 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.
The 400 Mawozo gang suggested it would be “beneficial” if all “relevant military forces” suspended operations targeting specific areas, pending the “effective opening of a dialogue on peace and stability.” They believe such a period “should provide an opportunity for de-escalation, the protection of civilian populations, and the search for a lasting political solution.”
In its letter, the gang also voiced concern over social media posts “targeting” the home of leader Wilson Joseph, particularly comments attributed to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. On Friday, Bukele responded to a social media post allegedly showing Joseph’s home, writing on X, “Where is that house? Give us the exact address, and we’ll destroy it.” The gang described Joseph’s home as “a symbol of peace within the framework of its de-escalation process” and urged “all parties to respect international obligations relating to the protection of civilians and civilian property,” referencing articles within the Geneva Conventions and the Charter of the United Nations. El Salvador’s government declined to comment on the matter when reached by the AP on Friday night.
Looking ahead, the gang announced plans to participate in a peaceful demonstration later this month “in order to lay the groundwork for a national dialogue and peace negotiation process,” asserting that “Haiti’s future cannot be built solely on confrontations and military operations.”
