Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, is currently grappling with increasing violence caused by gangs. The situation has deteriorated so much that the police are overwhelmed and unable to deal with these armed criminal groups. Faced with this crisis, the UN Security Council finally agreed to send a multinational force led by Kenya to help the Haitian authorities restore security in the country.
The decision was greeted with relief by residents of Port-au-Prince, who have endured unprecedented violence in recent months. The gangs, which control most areas of the capital, have committed ruthless acts of violence, ranging from rape to kidnapping for ransom. The population felt abandoned and lived in constant fear.
The Haitian Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, and the Secretary General of the UN, Antonio Guterres, have called for a year for the sending of a support force to the Haitian police. However, it was difficult to find a willing country to lead this mission, given the risks associated with such an operation. Ultimately, it was Kenya that agreed to take on this responsibility and send 1,000 troops to Haiti to help restore order.
The resolution adopted by the Security Council validates the creation of this multinational force for an initial period of twelve months, with an evaluation after nine months. The main objective of this mission is to operationally support the Haitian police in their fight against gangs and to create the necessary conditions for the holding of elections. In cooperation with the Haitian authorities, the mission will be able to take temporary and proportionate emergency measures to save lives.
But this mission will not solve all of Haiti’s problems. The country’s economic, political and security situation has deteriorated considerably over the past year. Gangs are increasingly numerous and better armed than Haitian law enforcement, which has led to an alarming increase in the number of murders. Antonio Guterres highlighted in a recent report that nearly 2,800 murders were recorded between October 2022 and June 2023, including nearly 80 minors.
In addition to sending the multinational force, the Security Council also decided to generalize the embargo on small arms and ammunition to Haiti. Until now, this embargo only targeted gang leaders. This measure aims to combat arms trafficking which fuels gang activities, particularly from the United States.
This resolution represents a first step in resolving the Haitian crisis, but much remains to be done. Stable and effective governance is necessary for any external support to be sustainable and effective. The United States said it would provide logistical and financial support to the mission, but would not send security forces to the field.
In conclusion, the sending of the multinational force to Haiti marks a glimmer of hope in the fight against the gang violence ravaging the country. But underlying economic and political problems will also need to be addressed to ensure a lasting solution. The Haitian people deserve to live in security and stability, and it is our duty to help achieve this goal.