Haiti Awaits Kenya's Peacekeeping Forces Amid Escalating Gang Violence and Displacement

Haiti is on edge as it prepares for the arrival of Kenya's peacekeeping forces amid a surge in gang violence and widespread displacement. The deployment, led by Kenya, aims to stabilize the Caribbean nation, where citizens live in constant fear of kidnapping and murder.

Kenya's Defence Cabinet Secretary, Aden Duale, has reaffirmed the country's commitment to the mission, despite concerns over the safety of Kenyan police forces. Duale expressed confidence in Kenya's special security forces, citing their success in dealing with threats from Al-Shabaab along the Kenyan borders and their experience in peacekeeping missions in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Tigray region, and Kosovo.

Why this matters: The deployment of Kenya's peacekeeping forces in Haiti has significant implications for regional and global security, as it addresses the growing concern of gang violence and instability in the Caribbean nation. If successful, this mission could serve as a model for stabilizing other conflict-ridden regions, but if it fails, it could exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and undermine international efforts to promote peace and security.

The Kenyan police unit, which includes the General Service Unit (GSU) and the Public Protection Unit (PPU), will be reinforced by the US Department of Defence, which will provide logistical support, including communication centers and intelligence gathering and sharing. "We have been asked by the international community because of our reputation. Our standing and the capacity will lead the multinational-force to stabilize Haiti," Duale highlighted.

Haiti's situation has deteriorated significantly since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. Gang violence has become a daily reality, with criminal groups controlling large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The gangs have killed, raped, and injured thousands, leaving nearly 2 million on the verge of starvation and over 360,000 homeless.

The international community has called upon Kenya to intervene given its reputation and capacity in stabilizing war-torn nations. The mission's mandate includes protecting key infrastructure and fighting criminal groups. However, there are concerns about whether the mission will respect human rights. The US government is vetting all mission personnel, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is assisting in designing the mission's regulatory framework.

The deployment faces significant challenges, including logistical issues and the need for sufficient preparation. Kenyan security personnel who had gone to assess the situation in Haiti returned to Kenya on May 27 because the construction of operational bases was incomplete. President William Ruto announced the postponement of the mission, citing the need for adequate preparation.

Haiti's main international airport in Port-au-Prince has reopened after a three-month shutdown, sparking hopes for the shipment of vital goods. However, gang violence persists in the capital, despite most of the gangs' demands being addressed. An advance team of Kenyan special forces police has landed in Haiti to combat the instability, following months of delay stemming from legal obstacles and violence.

Kenya's commitment to the mission is clear. "Haiti, we are going. It is not the first place we are going," said Duale. The Kenyan government's interest is to stabilize Haiti, train their police, and ensure the safety of Haitian citizens, particularly women and children. "We are not in the business of bringing our police in body bags and it is not the interest of both the Commander-in-Chief and of our government," Duale emphasized.

As Haiti awaits the arrival of Kenya's peacekeeping forces, the country remains in a state of uncertainty. The deployment is highly anticipated by the Haitian population, who hope that the presence of foreign forces will alleviate the severe grip of armed gangs, leading to improved security and access to vital services such as medication and food.

Key Takeaways

• Kenya's peacekeeping forces to deploy in Haiti to combat gang violence and instability.
• Kenyan forces have experience in dealing with Al-Shabaab and in peacekeeping missions in Somalia, DRC, and Kosovo.
• US Department of Defence to provide logistical support, including communication centers and intelligence gathering.
• Haiti's situation has deteriorated since President Jovenel Moïse's assassination in 2021, with gangs controlling large parts of Port-au-Prince.
• Kenya's mission aims to protect key infrastructure, fight criminal groups, and respect human rights, with US vetting personnel and OHCHR designing regulatory framework.