Kenyan Police Patrol Streets of Port-au-Prince in First U.N.-Supported Security Mission

In a significant move to curb the rampant gang violence plaguing Haiti, Kenyan police officers patrolled the streets of Port-au-Prince on Wednesday. Equipped with body armor and automatic weapons, the officers are part of the initial U.N.-supported foreign police unit to arrive in the country. Their deployment follows a desperate plea for international assistance to combat the escalating violence.
The situation in Haiti’s capital has reached a critical point, with criminal gangs controlling approximately 80% of the city. This has resulted in the displacement of over 580,000 individuals in recent months, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The Kenyan officers, stationed near the international airport, drew the attention of curious onlookers but encountered no confrontations with the gangs that dominate the area. Their presence marks the beginning of the Multinational Security Support Mission, a concerted effort to restore peace and order in the beleaguered nation.
Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille expressed his gratitude for the mission, emphasizing the dire need to address the violence perpetrated by armed groups. “Haiti is currently at a critical point with 12,000 armed individuals holding a population of 12 million hostage,” said Conille. He stressed that the deployment of the foreign police contingent is a vital step toward ending the chaos and restoring normalcy.
The first group of hundreds of Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti on June 25, initiating the Multinational Security Support Mission aimed at combating armed criminal gangs. “The deployment of the first contingent of police officers alongside Haitian law enforcement agencies should help put a stop to the barbarity of criminal groups,” Conille added.
The Kenyan officers will soon be reinforced by additional police and military personnel from the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad, and Jamaica, bringing the total number of personnel to 2,500. This multinational force aims to provide much-needed support to Haitian law enforcement agencies struggling to contain the violence.
María Isabel Salvador, Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, highlighted the significance of this deployment. She noted that the mission aligns with Security Council Resolution 2699, which underscores the international community’s commitment to assisting Haiti in its time of need. “This deployment offers a glimmer of hope for the people of Haiti,” Salvador remarked, expressing optimism that the international effort will help stabilize the situation.
The presence of the Kenyan police officers is seen as a critical intervention in a country where lawlessness has reached unprecedented levels. The Multinational Security Support Mission is expected to play a pivotal role in restoring order and providing security for the Haitian population, which has endured years of violence and instability.