The UN Security Council voted Oct. 2 to approve a multi-national armed force led by Kenya to combat the violent gangs that have made Haiti ungovernable—marking the first time in nearly 20 years that foreign forces are to be deployed to the Caribbean nation. The resolution authorizes the Multinational Security Support mission to deploy for one year, with a review after nine months. Drafted by the US and Ecuador, the resolution was approved with 13 votes in favor and two abstentions, from Russia and China. (AP, PRI, Jurist)
Kenya’s Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua told the BBC his country wants to go beyond tackling the gangs, helping to strengthen infrastructure and restore democracy in Haiti, where elections have been repeatedly postponed due to the violence. But many have voiced skepticism about deployment of the force, asking how it will work if Kenyan troops don’t speak French or Kreyol, and questioning the wisdom of sending personnel from a military criticized at home for human rights abuses.
Previous armed interventions—including UN peacekeeping missions—have also done little to improve things in Haiti, which has been hamstrung by factors such as the monumental debtFrance forced it to pay in exchange for independence. (TNH)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
UN Security Council continues sanctions, arms embargo on Haiti
The UN Security Council on Oct. 19 unanimously adopted a resolution renewing sanctions, an arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze on Haiti. These measures were first adopted in October 2022 to address the increasing violence and criminal activity, and deteriorating political, human rights and humanitarian situation in the country. (Jurist)
Kenya court extends bar on deploying police to Haiti
A Kenyan court has extended a temporary order blocking the deployment of hundreds of police officers to Haiti as part of a UN-approved multinational mission to tackle violent gangs. The court is now set to rule on the case on Nov. 9. Kenya’s parliament is yet to debate the planned US-backed intervention. (TNH)
Haiti: armed gang takes hundreds hostage at hospital
Police were able to rescue hundreds of people taken hostage Fontaine Hospital Center in the Port-au-Prince district of Cite Soleil. The hostages included women, children and newborns. Gang killings and kidnappings have soared across Haiti since the president was assassinated in 2021. (NewsHour)
Kenya parliament approves deployment of police to Haiti
Kenyan lawmakers on Nov. 16 endorsed a request to deploy over 1,000 police officers to Haiti. The decision, shown in a televised broadcast from parliament, resulted from the presentation of a motion by parliament’s Committee on Administration & Internal Security. The motion endorsed the government’s request to dispatch security officers as a response to the escalating violence in Haiti. (Jurist)