On Tuesday, Kenyan military forces, as part of a multinational security mission, arrived in Haiti with the United States providing “strong support” for its peacekeeping mission. The Caribbean nation has been plagued by rampant and deadly gang violence, and the arrival of the Kenyan military is hoped to help combat this issue.
On Tuesday, in an official statement, President Joe Biden emphasized that the Haitian people have the right to feel secure in their homes, create improved opportunities for their loved ones, and experience democratic liberties. He believes that Haiti’s progress is contingent upon the restoration of democratic governance.
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Reports indicate that on Tuesday, a Kenya Airways aircraft brought in approximately 400 military personnel from Kenya to Toussaint Louverture International Airport in the capital city of Haiti, Port-au-Prince.
According to the White House, almost five million Haitian citizens are currently experiencing “severe” food insecurity due to the obstruction of critical supplies by gangs. Tragically, over 7,500 people have already lost their lives to gang violence since October 2022. In addition, more than half a million Haitian civilians have been forced to flee their homes, with numerous reports of “widespread” gender-based violence.
According to The New York Times, U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Dennis B. Hankins stated that the Kenyans aim to avoid being a mission that just stays on their base and doesn’t leave the ground for a month. Instead, they aspire to make a visible impact swiftly.
In March, the United Nations emphasized the need for immediate action to put an end to the catastrophic situation in Haiti. Although the mission goals may not be accomplished overnight, President Biden is confident that this new initiative will offer the best opportunity to achieve them.
In March, amidst the escalating gang violence in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation. The decision came in response to mounting pressure on the embattled leader to step down from his position.
Haiti’s transitional council took a step towards reducing the escalating gang violence by appointing Fritz Belizaire, the former youth and sports minister, as the new Prime Minister, and Edward Leblanc Fils as the President in April. The council made this decision because the necessary conditions for a free and fair election were not present at that time.
Several countries have pledged personnel or financial support to the international mission on the island of Hispaniola, which is expected to expand to 2,500 personnel from other participating nations. However, the neighboring Dominican Republic has not yet offered any support.
On the same day that violent protests erupted outside Kenya’s parliament building, resulting in at least five fatalities and 13 injuries over a disputed tax bill, the Kenyan military arrived on the scene. The building was set on fire amidst the unrest.
According to the Times, Hankins mentioned that the initial challenging decision would be choosing between taking charge of the central hospital in the capital or securing the port to facilitate the arrival of necessary supplies. The U.S. ambassador clarified that while the Kenyan troops would be present to assist the Haitian police, they would not supersede them to avoid leaving behind a security gap after their departure.
The White House has confirmed that the United States will be the largest financial contributor to the mission, providing over $300 million in funding and up to $60 million worth of equipment to help bring stability to the tumultuous nation.
Several countries from the Caribbean region, including Jamaica, the Bahamas, Belize, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, and Trinidad and Tobago, will participate in the Haiti mission. Additionally, African nations such as Benin and Algeria, led by Kenya, will also take part. Furthermore, European countries, including France, Germany, Britain, and Spain, will join the multinational undertaking, along with Canada, Turkey, and Bangladesh.
The Haitian National Police will receive support from the White House for their anti-gang operations, capacity building to maintain public safety, and ensuring the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need. This mission aims to strengthen the efforts of the police force in their crucial responsibilities.
The Biden administration emphasized that they have implemented “critically important” measures for oversight and accountability.
Biden affirmed that the diplomatic outreach will persist to encourage more countries to get involved in the effort for Haiti. He emphasized the significance of Haiti’s well-being not only for its neighboring countries but also for the entire region and the world.
Recently, a tragic incident occurred where a couple, who were the daughter of a Missouri state lawmaker and her husband, lost their lives to Haitian gangs during a mission trip to the conflict-ridden country. This event took place when Americans were leaving the area due to growing tensions and escalating violence.
In a prepared statement, Biden expressed his belief that Haiti is an exceptional country, and its people deserve the same security, opportunity, and freedom as people all around the world.
