Kenya-Led Mission Faces Challenges in Supporting Haitian Police Against Gangs, Reports Crisis Group"💔🥲🙏

 

"Kenya-Led Mission Faces Challenges in Supporting Haitian Police Against Gangs, Reports Crisis Group"💔🥲🙏

The multinational mission led by Kenya to support the Haitian National Police in their fight against gangs is expected to face several challenges, according to a report by the International Crisis Group. The report highlights issues such as corruption, links between the police, politicians, and gangs, overcrowded prisons, the shortage of police officers, and the difficulties of protecting civilians in urban warfare. It emphasizes the critical importance of thorough preparation due to these challenges.

Currently, there are less than 10,000 police officers on duty in Haiti, a country with a population of over 11 million. Ideally, there should be around 25,000 active officers, as stated by the United Nations. The gangs in Haiti outnumber and outgun the police, making the situation even more challenging. The report mentions that many people interviewed were skeptical about the deployment of the multinational force, even though it was approved by the UN Security Council in October, a year after the Haitian Prime Minister requested urgent international assistance.

The report also sheds light on the control exerted by over 300 gangs, who dominate approximately 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and extend their influence into other regions. The violence inflicted by these gangs has led to the killing of nearly 4,000 people and the kidnapping of another 3,000, according to UN statistics. The dire situation has forced over 200,000 people to flee their communities, as gangs burn homes and commit acts of violence.

One of the challenges highlighted in the report is the lack of prison facilities to accommodate thousands of gang members. The report questions whether the international community is suggesting the killing of these individuals and raises concerns about the absence of structures to reintegrate young people into society.

The International Crisis Group also reveals that senior commanders within Haiti's National Police have allegedly prevented the capture of a powerful gang leader due to his alleged connections to politicians or the police. The report emphasizes that even if the mission is successful, efforts must be made to halt the flow of weapons and ammunition into Haiti and sever the strong bond between gangs and Haitian business and political elites.

The multinational force, supported by the United Nations, is yet to deploy as it awaits a court ruling in Kenya. Other countries such as Burundi, Chad, Senegal, Jamaica, and Belize have also pledged troops for the mission. The situation in Haiti remains critical, and addressing these challenges will require a comprehensive and coordinated effort.