Gov't announces truce among rival gangs

BELMOPAN (CMC):

The Belize government says a truce has been reached among rival gangs in the country.

In a brief statement issued here, the government said that the truce was reached during talks involving Prime Minister Dean Barrow, who returned to the country from an official engagement in St. Kitts and Nevis earlier than expected in the wake of gang activity

"A coordinating committee has been formed to monitor the truce and to propose to government community-improvement projects that will also provide jobs in the various Belize City neighbourhoods," the statement said.

It noted that last weekend's Carnival activities were incident-free and government is confident that the rest of the September celebrations can also proceed in an untroubled, festive manner.

"For the longer term, government is hopeful that Sunday's historic truce will last and will bring to a halt the cycle of senseless violence that has been plaguing especially Belize City in recent times."

The meeting on Sunday was called after Prime Minister Barrow, who had met earlier with rival gang leaders, told reporters he is convinced there is a willingness to bring about peace among the gangs and the "government is prepared to offer a number of things if this truce can be reached".

Similar initiative

The government had undertaken a similar initiative in January last year and Prime Minister Barrow said it was important for there to be peace in the country.

Minister of Police Doug Singh, said the truce represents a process to start to work together that includes several stages.

"It includes mitigating, reconciliation, there were suggestions made by one side that perhaps we need to have a forum where they can all get together and start to socialise together to help to develop a relationship.