In November 2006, armed gangs operating from strongholds in the slums of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince terrorized the city and threatened the stability of Haiti's democratically elected government. On December 22, the Haitian National Police, UN Police and the UN military launched a coordinated assault against the compound of the gang leader Belonye in the Bois Neuf sector of Cite Soleil. After hours of heavy fighting, resistance was overcome; Belonye and his gang were arrested. Subsequent operations resulted in the arrest of all the major gang leaders and the restoration of security in Haiti's capital.

The conduct of this highly successful UN operation and its complex aftermath is the topic of a new study by USIP and the focus of programs undertaken by the Department of State. It will be the topic of this public forum hosted by the USIP's Haiti Working Group.

Speakers

• Velia M. De Pirro
  Director of the Office of Caribbean Affairs, Department of State
• Michael Dziedic
  Senior Program Officer, U.S. Institute of Peace
• Robert Perito, Moderator
  Director, USIP Haiti Working Group