Haiti: Champ de Mars, between the desire for a return to normalcy and renewed tension

PORT-AU-PRINCE, October 9, 2025 — As the Haitian government intensifies efforts to revive the Champ de Mars, the symbolic heart of Port-au-Prince, the capital remains under tension. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé visited the site as part of preparations for a gradual return to normal life, while this Thursday, the Council of Ministers met at the National Palace, in the very center of the city. However, at the same time, armed attacks by the “Viv Ansanm” group were reported in several neighboring districts, and even a few meters from the sites, recalling the fragility of the stabilization process. The Prime Minister's Visit: A Strong Signal On Monday, taking advantage of the reopening of the judicial year, the head of government, accompanied by the mayor of Port-au-Prince and officials from the Haitian National Police (PNH), inspected several areas of the Champ de Mars. This visit aimed to observe the site's state of abandonment and to kick off rehabilitation work. “The Champ de Mars must once again become a place of memory, culture, and national gathering,” declared Prime Minister Fils-Aimé. “We are taking a concrete step towards reclaiming our public space,” he continued. A Council of Ministers Under High Tension Three days later, the Council of Ministers exceptionally met at the National Palace, in the heart of the Champ de Mars. This symbolic choice aimed to mark the continuity of the State in the heart of the capital, but also to affirm institutional sovereignty in an area long considered out of control. “Holding the Council at the National Palace is to tell the country that the State will not back down,” confided a source close to the Prime Minister's Office. The Disillusionment of the Viv Ansanm Attack: A Sad Reality on the Ground However, this demonstration of authority was overshadowed by a series of simultaneous attacks claimed by the armed group “Viv Ansanm,” particularly in the neighborhoods of Bel-Air, Bicentenaire, and the areas surrounding the Champ de Mars. The leader of this criminal gang, moreover, published a message on social media, boasting that he had not yet authorized any return to the Champ de Mars area. It should be noted that the exchanges of fire sowed panic not far from the governmental perimeter, forcing security forces to reinforce security measures around the National Palace and the Champ de Mars. Between Reconstruction and Security Challenge Despite these incidents, authorities suggest that preparations for a return to normalcy at the Champ de Mars are continuing according to the established schedule, with the goal of a partial reopening before the end of the year. The government's gamble will be to transform this area into a model of secure urban redevelopment, combining renovated infrastructure, cultural activities, and permanent police presence. It must therefore be emphasized that restoring the Champ de Mars means restoring the soul of Port-au-Prince, but without lasting security, this dream will remain a grand mirage. Jean Mapou