--- title: "Haiti's Powerful Gang Makes Overtures Towards Dialogue" url: https://newscentral.site/haiti-s-powerful-gang-makes-overtures-towards-dialogue/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "World" published: 2026-11-07T02:18:31.000Z updated: 2026-11-09T09:55:00.570Z id: 44bf77f1-e6cb-40dc-bab8-cc1757012c63 source: "ABC News International https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/powerful-haitian-gang-reaches-state-disarmament-group-gunfights-137932356" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/haiti-s-powerful-gang-makes-overtures-towards-dialogue/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Haiti's Powerful Gang Makes Overtures Towards Dialogue The 400 Mawozo gang has sent a statement to The Associated Press stressing that dialogue is not a sign of weakness but rather a patriotic duty. Haiti's powerful 400 Mawozo gang has made overtures towards a state agency tasked with dismantling armed gangs in an effort to achieve "peace, stability and national reconciliation." The move comes as gunfights persist in the country, with the gang sending a three-page statement to The Associated Press stressing that dialogue is not a sign of weakness but rather a patriotic duty to protect human lives. The 400 Mawozo gang has been accused by the United Nations and human rights groups of serious atrocities, including rape, murder, and kidnapping. However, the gang denies these allegations and claims it is committed to peace. In recent weeks, the gang's leader Wilson Joseph reached out to the UN secretary-general, requesting a delegation be sent to Haiti for dialogue and mediation amid concerns that the presence of Salvadoran troops could exacerbate the violence. Haiti's National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration has received a request from an individual on behalf of the 400 Mawozo gang to engage in dialogue. The commission works closely with the prime minister's office and must follow the government's proposed roadmap for any discussions with armed groups. The development comes as Haitian police and foreign forces continue their efforts to combat gangs, with Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé announcing that one gang leader was killed in a recent operation. The prime minister made this announcement on social media platform X, but did not reveal the identity of the slain gang leader. However, local human rights groups have confirmed that the deceased leader was Mathias, the head of the Nan Boston gang based in Cité Soleil, a notorious slum in Port-au-Prince controlled by various gangs. This area is one of the smaller armed groups operating within the city limits. In response to the prime minister's announcement, he wrote on X, "The gangs won't be getting any sleep!" The statement reflects the government's determination to tackle the gang problem through military operations and law enforcement efforts. When approached for comment by the AP, a spokesperson for 400 Mawozo expressed willingness to participate in peace negotiations and engage in disarmament as part of a process. This individual spoke on condition of anonymity due to concerns about being publicly associated with discussions around these sensitive issues. The Haitian gang 400 Mawozo has made a surprising move by reaching out to a state disarmament group in an attempt to negotiate peace and an end to what they perceive as "international interference" in their activities. This development comes on the heels of El Salvador's deployment of over 2,000 troops to Haiti following the disappearance of four Salvadoran aviation technicians who were attacked while operating in gang territory. The deployment has raised concerns about the escalation of violence and potential for further conflict. The United Nations has noted that most of the Salvadoran personnel in Haiti are not part of the U.N.-backed gang suppression force, which is working with Haitian authorities to combat gang activity. Instead, they appear to be operating independently, fueling fears of an increase in military presence in the country. In its letter to the disarmament group, 400 Mawozo emphasized the need for de-escalation and protection of civilian populations, as well as a search for a lasting political solution. The gang also expressed concerns about social media posts targeting their leader Joseph, known as Lanmò Sanjou, particularly comments attributed to El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. The Haitian gang has written a letter to a state disarmament group, expressing concerns about the escalating violence in their area. They described Joseph's home as a symbol of peace within the framework of their de-escalation process and called on all parties to respect international obligations relating to the protection of civilians and civilian property. In their letter, the gang referenced specific articles within the Geneva Conventions and the Charter of the United Nations, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians and civilian property. The El Salvadoran government declined to comment when reached by a news agency on Friday night. --- Source: [ABC News International](https://abcnews.com/International/wireStory/powerful-haitian-gang-reaches-state-disarmament-group-gunfights-137932356) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/haiti-s-powerful-gang-makes-overtures-towards-dialogue/