S.O.E. Soon to Expire, but was it Successful?

Kareem Musa

A state of emergency declared back in late July in response to the spiralling gun violence on the south side of Belize City expires this Friday. Since then, there have been several murders recorded in the city. Mediators, including ComPol Chester Williams and Nuri Mohammed, have since met with over thirty young men who were detained in the S.O.E. to chart a way forward. When the media caught up with Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa, he was asked about the success of the S.O.E.

Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs

“For the purpose of curtailing crime in the particular areas of concern. As I mentioned at the very start of the S.O.E., it was very limited. At the end of the day it was some thirty or thirty-five individuals who were actually detained. But certainly it served to quell the violence in those particular areas of Belize City; of course, we have crime taking place in other parts – in the west in particular – and so those are things that we are certainly concerned about. But in terms of your question and the S.O.E., I believe it did serve a purpose. I know Brother Nuri and Commissioner Williams had a sit down with the factions over at the Belize Central Prison a few days ago and I believe that they may be going back again tomorrow. We have indication from these young men of a cease fire. Certainly, we are hopeful that that will carry over once they are released this Friday.”