Nairobi: Kenya will deploy an additional 600 police officers to Haiti next month to support the international anti-gang mission, President William Ruto announced on Friday. This commitment was made during the visit of Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille, aimed at accelerating the deployment of forces to address escalating violence.
At least 10 countries have pledged a total of around 2,900 troops to the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. However, as of now, only about 430 troops have been deployed since the U.N.-authorized mission began in June, with nearly 400 of those coming from Kenya.
Despite international efforts, heavily armed gangs, which control much of Port-au-Prince, continue to expand their influence. Last week, members of the Gran Grif gang carried out one of Haiti’s deadliest attacks in recent years, killing at least 115 people in a farming region, according to local officials.
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President Ruto expressed confidence in the mission’s progress, saying, “The fight against gangs is a battle we can win.” He noted that the 600 additional Kenyan officers were undergoing training and would be ready for deployment next month.
Haitian Prime Minister Praises Quick Police Response
During the joint press conference, Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille commended the swift response of both Haitian police and the Kenyan contingent to the recent massacre. “The police and the (Kenyan) contingent were able to deploy by road within hours to ensure the city was quickly protected,” Conille said, highlighting the effectiveness of the partnership.
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The gang violence in Haiti has caused widespread displacement, with over 700,000 people forced to flee their homes. Additionally, more than five million Haitians—nearly half the population—are facing severe food insecurity, according to the United Nations.
U.N. Extends MSS Mandate Amid Resistance to Peacekeeping Proposal
Last month, the U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a one-year extension of the MSS mandate. However, a U.S.-backed proposal to transition the MSS into a formal U.N. peacekeeping mission was blocked due to opposition from Russia and China.
