In a resolute effort to combat rampant gang violence in Haiti, Kenya has announced plans to dispatch an additional 600 police officers to the Caribbean nation within the coming weeks. This move will bolster the Kenyan contingent to nearly 1,000 officers, deployed incrementally since June to assist Haiti’s struggling police force.
During a recent visit to Port-au-Prince, President William Ruto voiced strong support for transforming the current Kenya-led security mission into a full United Nations peacekeeping operation. “There are many people who thought Haiti was mission impossible, but today they have changed their minds because of the progress you have made,” he stated, commending the existing contingent for their recent successes against gangs.
Ruto assured the police officers that efforts would be made to improve their equipment, noting, “Our next batch, an additional 600, is undergoing redeployment training. We will be mission-ready in a few weeks’ time.”
Despite international pledges, including at least 1,900 additional troops from various countries, concerns linger over the inadequacy of resources. William O’Neil, a UN human rights expert, highlighted the need for essential equipment, stating, “The mission is inadequately equipped… the situation borders on the impossible.”
O’Neil also reported a staggering increase in sexual violence and more than 700,000 people displaced, emphasizing, “This enduring agony must stop.” The UN Security Council is expected to convene later this month to consider the renewal of Kenya’s mandate, potentially paving the way for a comprehensive UN mission in 2025.
