The offer made by Kenya to lead a multinational police force in Haiti has been positively received by the United Nations chief. This initiative aims to combat the gangs in Haiti and improve security in the violence-stricken nation. The Prime Minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry, urgently appealed for the deployment of a specialized armed force back in October to address the gang issue. However, despite several unsuccessful appeals by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, no nation had stepped forward to take the lead in restoring order in Haiti, until Kenya’s offer.
Kenya’s Foreign Ministry stated that their offer includes sending 1,000 police officers to train and assist the Haitian National Police in restoring normalcy and protecting strategic installations. This decision was made in response to a request from the Friends of Haiti group of nations. The ministry emphasized that Kenya stands with people of African descent worldwide and aligns with the African Union’s diaspora policy and commitment to Pan Africanism.
Kenya’s proposed deployment will be finalized once the U.N. Security Council adopts a resolution, granting the force a mandate, and after other constitutional processes in Kenya are carried out.
Haiti’s gangs have gained significant power since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. It is estimated that they now control up to 80% of the capital. This has led to an increase in violent crimes such as killings, rapes, and kidnappings and has sparked a violent uprising by civilian vigilante groups.
In response to Kenya’s positive response, U.N. Secretary-General Guterres expressed gratitude and called on the U.N. Security Council to support a multinational operation in Haiti. He also encouraged member states, especially those from the region, to join forces with Kenya in supporting Haiti’s police.
To assess the situation and inform the mandate and operational requirements of the mission, a Kenyan task force plans to undertake an assessment mission to Haiti in the coming weeks.
During his visit to Haiti in July, Secretary-General Guterres emphasized the need for a robust international force to help the Haitian National Police in combating the gangs. He supported the estimation made by the U.N. independent expert for Haiti, William O’Neill, that an additional 2,000 anti-gang police officers are required.
The Security Council adopted a resolution in July, requesting Guterres to present a range of options within 30 days to combat the armed gangs in Haiti. These options included a non-U.N. multinational force, a potential U.N. peacekeeping force, additional training for the Haitian National Police, and support to combat illegal arms trafficking.
In addition to gang violence, Haiti is currently facing a political crisis as it lacks democratically elected institutions. This crisis further exacerbates the situation.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, discussed Kenya’s positive consideration to lead a multinational force in Haiti with Kenyan President William Ruto. The United States, along with Ecuador, plans to introduce a resolution to authorize a non-U.N. multinational mission during its presidency of the U.N. Security Council in August.
The next steps involve an assessment mission by Kenya and discussions with other countries to determine additional assistance required for the mission’s success.
The United States is committed to providing resources to support this multinational force and has been a significant humanitarian donor in Haiti. They have also played a role in finding a lead nation for the multinational force and are pleased with Kenya’s successful acceptance of the role.
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