Investigations
Surge In Gang Violence Claims 131 Young Lives In Haiti
A staggering 131 children have been killed or injured in Haiti in the first six months of 2024, a 47% increase from the previous year, according to analysis of UN data by Save the Children. The devastating toll is a result of warring gangs, with children caught in the crossfire of machine gun assaults, targeted for suspected affiliations, or lynched by the public.
Diaspora Watch gathered that most of the children were hit by stray bullets when armed gangs launched machine gun assaults on their neighborhoods or battled with other armed groups and the police in the streets. A small but growing number of those children have been actively targeted out of suspicions they supported a local self-defense group, rival gang, or the police. Others were lynched by the public after being accused of committing minor offenses.
“We are at a loss for words when it comes to the unimaginable suffering children in Haiti are enduring. Entire neighborhoods have been burned, kidnappings and sexual assaults are rampant, and children are being directly targeted or caught in the crossfire,” said Chantal Sylvie Imbeault, Save the Children’s country director for Haiti.
Armed gangs control about 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and have joined forces to oust acting prime minister Ariel Henry, laying siege to the international airport and torching police stations and hospitals. Haiti’s new acting leader, Garry Conille, took office in June after being appointed by a transitional council and has been trying to regain control, with 400 Kenyan police officers dispatched to the Caribbean country to help restore order.
However, analysts say the taskforce will need reinforcements to take on the gangs, and local groups have voiced concerns that their ranks are swelling with children who are being recruited to kidnap, loot, and murder. Haiti’s deep and rampant poverty makes it easy to convince children to take up arms or work as informants, say civil society groups. With one in two children regularly going hungry and schools often closed, the offer of regular food can be sufficient.
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“There’s a lot of young boys, and a lot of girls too, that are joining the gangs for security, but also because they don’t have any opportunities,” said Emmline Toussaint, from the Bureau de Nutrition et Développement (BND), which offers school meals to try to keep children in education and off the streets, where they are more likely to be recruited into taking up arms.
Save the Children released a statement in June warning that it believed more children would be at risk of being killed or seriously injured when international security forces were deployed to Haiti. Observers have voiced concerns that Kenyan officers with a chequered human rights record at home could be heavy-handed when trying to retake control of the country from the gangs, and Save the Children said it had not seen evidence that the security forces had measures in place to protect the children that live in gang-controlled slums.
“We still have serious concerns about the integration of child protection measures by the Multinational Security Support Mission. With armed groups in Haiti actively recruiting children, their safety cannot be an afterthought,” Imbeault said.
The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, and Chad have offered to send forces to Haiti to bolster the initial Kenyan deployment, but the security mission lacks the required international funding.
Investigations
Elon Musk’s $1 Million Giveaway Under DOJ Investigation for Potential Legal Violations
Elon Musk’s recent $1 million giveaway has drawn attention from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), which is reportedly scrutinizing the legality of the contest. This giveaway, widely promoted on social media, promised substantial cash prizes to select followers but has now raised concerns about compliance with federal sweepstakes laws. The DOJ’s focus is on whether the giveaway followed proper disclosures and legal requirements, including fair entry rules and transparency. This legal scrutiny adds a new layer of complexity to Musk’s ventures, as he continues to attract both media and regulatory attention with high-profile initiatives. The case underscores the importance of adhering to regulations, even in promotional activities led by influential public figures. The outcome could impact future online giveaways hosted by prominent personalities.
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Cybersecurity and data protection are critical priorities as Africa advances in digital connectivity and innovation. With rapid growth in internet use and digital transformation across sectors, African countries are increasingly addressing cybersecurity challenges to protect citizens, businesses, and governments from cyber threats. Key initiatives focus on strengthening data protection laws, building cybersecurity infrastructure, and fostering a skilled workforce capable of responding to emerging threats. From securing personal data to safeguarding national infrastructures, African nations are taking proactive steps to ensure a safer, more resilient digital future. Join the conversation on how Africa is advancing in cybersecurity and protecting valuable data assets.
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ExxonMobil Guyana has announced plans to increase oil production from its Stabroek block by 18,000 barrels per day (bpd). The capacity of the Unity floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) vessel will increase from 252,000 bpd to 270,000 bpd, pending approval from local authorities. ExxonMobil Guyana currently produces 665,000 bpd, and future developments include the Hammerhead project, which aims to produce 120,000-180,000 bpd. The company’s investment is set to further strengthen Guyana’s economy as it grows into a major oil producer.
In political developments, President Irfaan Ali has announced several benefits ahead of Guyana’s upcoming elections. The new incentives include free college tuition and a one-time cash handout of nearly $1,000 per household, benefiting 264,000 families. The minimum wage will also increase from $350 to $500 starting next year, aimed at reducing the cost of living for Guyanese citizens.
Guyana’s economy, bolstered by its growing oil sector, saw a remarkable 60% GDP growth in 2022, the highest in the world, according to the IMF. To further utilize oil revenues, the government is launching various infrastructure projects, including hospitals, schools, and a $1.9 billion gas-to-energy initiative.
At the same time, the 115th COTED meeting on agriculture in CARICOM is tackling challenges like climate change and underdeveloped agricultural value chains, working towards the 25 by 2025 Food Security Initiative.
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Diaspora Watch 20th Edition (October 14-20, 2024): Your Trusted Source for Global News and Insights
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