International Intervention Postponed in Haiti: What's the Latest Update?

After months of planning and discussion, the deployment of an international force to violence-wracked Haiti has been delayed again, dashing hopes of Kenyan police arriving this week.

High-profile meetings on Thursday hinted at once-high expectations. In the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, the country’s governing Transitional Presidential Council shared photos of their meeting with a Kenyan delegation. Meanwhile, in Washington, US President Joe Biden and Kenyan President William Ruto highlighted their nations’ collaboration on the mission, which is largely supported by the US, during a joint press conference.

Ruto emphasized that peace and security in Haiti are the responsibility of all nations. He stated that Kenya will work alongside the Haitian police to combat gangs and criminals.

Despite efforts, armed groups are still causing chaos in Port-au-Prince. They are extorting residents and controlling the distribution of essential supplies such as fuel, food, and medical resources. Tragically, a young missionary couple from the US were attacked and killed by gangs at a church in the city on Thursday evening, as confirmed by their family.

Haiti’s gangs were initially established to enforce the power of the country’s political and business leaders. Recently, these rival gangs have joined forces to create a coalition called “Viv Ansamn,” which means “Live together.” They are now working together to launch attacks on government facilities such as police stations and prisons.

Haiti’s National Police are working hard to fight the gangs in the city, but they don't have enough officers or equipment. After the assassination of then-President Jovenel Moise in 2021, the gangs have taken control of even more of the city, now holding about 80% of it.

Law enforcement officials in Haiti compare the situation to quicksand, saying that they need more support to be able to keep and protect the areas they have.

Haiti's gangs are being armed with a flood of smuggled guns and ammunition, despite an arms embargo on the island, making the situation even more difficult.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently supported the international mission in Haiti, stating at a Senate Foreign Relations hearing that without foreign assistance, Haiti is at risk of becoming a failed state.

Haiti has requested international military help since 2022. In October of the following year, the United Nations Security Council approved the establishment of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS).

The MSS, designed to work closely with Haiti’s National Police, will focus on securing the city’s airport, seaport, and key roads, as per individuals familiar with the mission’s planning.

Kenya, which has volunteered to lead the mission, has pledged 1,000 police officers. Most of them are Kenyan border police, selected for their expertise in dealing with armed non-state actors like Al Shabaab and in operating in foreign environments like Somalia, Sudan, and Congo, according to Bill O’Neill, the UN expert on human rights in Haiti.

A Kenyan police commissioner and a Jamaican police lieutenant will lead the mission, with other key positions filled by Kenyan staff. The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Chad, and Jamaica have also committed to sending personnel for the mission.

The MSS was approved more than seven months ago but has faced challenges, including court cases in Kenya and political unrest in Haiti. In March, a surge in gang violence led to the resignation of Haiti's Prime Minister Ariel Henry shortly after finalizing a deal with Kenya for the mission. The new partner for Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council, established last month, is now Ruto's administration.

During a press conference on Thursday, journalist Ayub Abdikadir from Kenya’s Citizen TV raised a question to Ruto. He asked why forces were being sent to a crisis in the Caribbean when there are ongoing security issues in Kenya’s North Rift region.

In response, Ruto emphasized that Kenya has a responsibility beyond its borders. He mentioned that troops and police have already been sent to address the banditry problem in the North Rift region.

A trust fund managed by the UN for the mission has $21 million in funding, with contributions from Canada ($8.7 million), the United States ($6 million), France ($3.2 million), and Spain ($3 million). Additionally, the US and Canada have pledged more support, including equipment and resources.

One reason why the MSS has not started yet is due to a lack of medevac helicopters.

May 23 was the deadline for the first group of 200 Kenyan police officers to arrive in Haiti, as per CNN documents. Additionally, a few dozen Jamaican officers were scheduled to arrive by mid-June, with more expected to come in gradually throughout the summer.

People flee their neighborhoods after after armed gangs terrorized the Delmas 24 and Solino areas on the night of May 1, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, May 2 ,2024. Haiti's transitional ruling council, which is leading the Caribbean nation amid a wave of gang violence, chose politician Edgard Leblanc Fils as its head on April 30, 2024. Announcement of the selection comes after the long-awaited council was sworn in last week, marking a step forward in restoring functional government. (Photo by Clarens SIFFROY / AFP)

After armed gangs terrorized the Delmas 24 and Solino areas in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on the night of May 1, 2024, people fled their neighborhoods. Following this incident, Haiti's transitional ruling council, which is currently overseeing the country during a surge of gang violence, appointed politician Edgard Leblanc Fils as its leader on April 30, 2024. This decision was made after the council was finally sworn in last week, signaling progress towards establishing a functioning government. (Photo by Clarens SIFFROY / AFP)

Related article

Kenyan officials arrive in Haiti ahead of planned security mission, sources say

A team from Kenya, which included several police commanders, recently visited Port-au-Prince to check if the facilities were ready for deployment.

The MSS base near Toussaint Louverture airport is almost finished, with a medical facility and a trauma surgeon already there. However, the Kenyan team found that some equipment was lacking. They were especially worried about the shortage of helicopters for medical evacuations. There was confusion about which country would provide them, according to multiple sources. CNN's requests for comments from Kenyan authorities went unanswered.

Documents obtained by CNN reveal that El Salvador was considered as a possible source of medevac helicopters. However, Salvadoran Vice President Felix Ulloa downplayed this possibility in a statement to CNN.

Ulloa expressed that while El Salvador is eager to assist, they would require a clear mandate from the United Nations and approval from the country in need. He mentioned that El Salvador could provide skilled helicopter pilots and experts to manage air operations for the MSS if necessary.

More equipment, including armored vehicles and radios, is expected to arrive in Haiti for the MSS over the coming days and weeks.

What now?

Experts on the ground believe that the Haitian government needs to do more to prepare for the mission, especially in terms of communication with the public and even the gangs, to explain how it will operate.

According to a source familiar with Haiti's gangs, the Transitional Presidential Council should be creating messages for the gangs on possible ways to avoid direct conflict with the MSS. This could involve surrendering or seeking peaceful solutions.

The Haitian police union SPNH17 expressed concerns to CNN about the lack of transparency in their collaboration with the international mission. They questioned why more emphasis wasn't placed on providing material support to the local police.

In a statement, the union highlighted that the international community's efforts lacked clear plans and communication strategies. They emphasized the language barrier between Haitian police officers, who speak French and Creole, and Kenyan police officers, who speak English.

The union firmly believes that long-term security for Haiti can only be provided by the Haitian police themselves. They stressed the importance of receiving materials and logistical support to effectively carry out their duties.

Haitian anti-corruption group Nou Pap Dòmi (NPD) emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability for the actions of foreign forces in Haiti.

In a statement to CNN, NPD stated that while they recognize the need for international support in addressing the crisis, their focus is on empowering the Haitian National Police to effectively handle these challenges in a sustainable manner.

This week, there is still uncertainty about when the MSS will arrive. According to NPD, the Kenyan mission is still unknown to the Haitian people. There has been no communication about it, even though several US military planes have landed in Haiti.

Editor's P/S:

The situation in Haiti