Multinational Force Deploys to Restore Order in Haiti Amid Escalating Gang Violence

A multinational force is being deployed to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to restore government control after gangs seized the capital following a prolonged decline of the government. The mission, led by Kenya and backed by the United Nations, aims to tackle the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis in the country.

Haiti has seen unprecedented levels of violence, with gang activity spreading across Port-au-Prince and beyond. In the first three months of 2024 alone, 2,500 people, including at least 82 children, were killed or injured due to gang violence. Nearly half of these victims were hit by bullets during attacks on their neighborhoods or clashes between gangs and the police.

The situation has also led to widespread displacement, with approximately 362,000 people, half of them children, forced to flee their homes due to insecurity. Kidnappings have surged, with at least 438 persons kidnapped for ransom in the same period. The humanitarian crisis is deepening, with sexual violence and abuse against women and girls on the rise, and tens of thousands of children unable to attend school due to the violence.

Why this matters:

The deployment of a multinational force to Haiti has significant implications for global security and stability, as it addresses a growing humanitarian crisis and gang violence. If successful, it could pave the way for similar interventions in other countries struggling with similar issues, but if it fails, it could lead to further destabilization in the region.

The Haitian National Police (HNP) has been unable to fully contain the outbreak of violence, prompting the need for international security assistance. The UN Security Council has been briefed on the situation, with Maria Isabel Salvador, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, highlighting the urgent need to restore security conditions. "It is impossible to overstate the increase in gang activity across Port-au-Prince and beyond, the deterioration of the human rights situation and the deepening of the humanitarian crisis," Salvador stated.

Kenya has pledged to deploy up to 1,000 personnel, with the first contingent of 200 expected to arrive by May 23. Other countries, including Benin, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, and Chad, have also expressed willingness to join the mission under a UN resolution passed in October last year. However, the mission has faced legal challenges in Kenya, with petitioners accusing the government of ignoring a court order prohibiting the deployment as unconstitutional and illegal.

Gang leaders in Haiti, some suspected of having links to the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, have taken control of critical infrastructure, including police stations and seaports. Their influence has grown, making them a significant threat to the incoming force. Unlike in the past, when gangs relied on Haiti's political and business elite for funding, they have now found independent financial sources since the president's assassination and the subsequent collapse of the state.

With the deployment of the multinational force, there is hope that order can be restored in Haiti. However, the task is monumental, given the entrenched power and financial independence of the gangs. The international community will be closely watching the situation as the force moves to re-establish the rule of law and restore government control.

Key Takeaways

• A multinational force led by Kenya is deploying to Haiti to restore government control amidst escalating gang violence.
• In 2024, 2,500 people, including 82 children, were killed or injured due to gang violence in Haiti.
• 362,000 people, half of them children, have been displaced due to insecurity, with kidnappings and sexual violence on the rise.
• The UN-backed mission aims to tackle the humanitarian crisis and restore security, with Kenya pledging 1,000 personnel.
• The mission faces challenges, including gang leaders' control of critical infrastructure and independent financial sources.