Kenya Takes the Lead in International Effort to Restore Law & Order in Haiti
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has called for stronger support from the international community to restore law and order in Haiti as Kenya steps up to lead a foreign intervention into the Caribbean nation. The ongoing protracted political crisis in Haiti has reached a critical point, with armed gangs wreaking havoc and destabilizing the country. Guterres has long advocated for a robust use of force against these gangs, emphasizing the need for a multinational force to assist the struggling police force in Haiti.
In a letter addressed to the President of the U.N. Security Council, Guterres outlined options for supporting Haiti’s police force in combating the armed gangs. He stressed the importance of international action to enhance the security situation, emphasizing that it should be guided by the primacy of the political process and the inter-Haitian political dialogue. Guterres highlighted the need for a capable specialized multinational police force, enabled by military assets and coordinated with the national police, to disarm the gangs effectively.
The proposed security mission, under the umbrella of the U.N. Security Council, would not be a traditional peacekeeping mission due to the current situation in Haiti. Guterres acknowledged that Haiti’s armed groups have become increasingly sophisticated and controlling large territories. The mission would consist of both police and military units, reflecting the complexity of the security challenges in the country.
Guterres emphasized the importance of a strengthened U.N. presence in Haiti through the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). This office already plays a crucial role in helping to find a solution to the political crisis in Haiti. Guterres suggested that BINUH could provide technical support to the Haitian justice system, train and advise the national police, and work towards credible and inclusive elections.
However, the assistance provided must go hand in hand with progress on the political front. Haiti’s political crisis has worsened since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise two years ago, leading to a constitutional crisis and the erosion of state authority. The absence of elected leaders has created a vacuum that armed criminal gangs have exploited, leading to a surge in violence, kidnapping, and displacement of thousands. Guterres stressed the urgent need for international support to address these pressing humanitarian needs.
While the letter does not provide a specific timeline for the deployment of a multinational force, Guterres underscored the importance of strong bilateral support and sustained international assistance. He called for meaningful political reform in Haiti to address the root causes of the country’s crises and ensure long-term stability. Guterres also highlighted the need for adequate financing to preserve institutional gains and interventions aimed at reducing violence at the community level.
Kenya has emerged as a key player in this international effort, expressing its willingness to lead a multinational force into Haiti and deploy around 1,000 police officers. The United States, through Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, has welcomed Kenya’s offer and promised to support a resolution at the Security Council to endorse Kenya’s efforts.
As Kenya prepares to send a team to New York and Port-au-Prince for further exploration, the international community must rally behind this joint effort to restore law and order in Haiti. The proposed multinational force, along with strengthened U.N. presence and political engagement, offers hope for a brighter future for the Haitian people. The road to stability may be challenging, but with unified international support, Haiti can overcome its current crisis and build a safer and more prosperous nation.
