2023-07-31 11:15:46
The Haitian government has accepted Kenya’s proposal to lead a multinational force and deploy police officers to support the security forces of the Caribbean country in order to restore a climate of security. Among the population, the Nairobi announcement is being received with caution.
First modification: 07/31/2023 – 11:15
2 min
With Marie André Bélange, RFI correspondent in Port-au-Prince
A few hours after Kenya’s announcement, the Haitian Minister of Foreign Affairs declared that he had received the Kenyan proposal with great interest, which confirms “the willingness of this sister country to provide effective support to the Haitian law enforcement agencies […] and even to consider the possibility of assuming the leadership of a multinational force as soon as the United Nations Security Council gives its approval.” Jean Victor Généus added that “Haiti fully appreciates this demonstration of African solidarity.”
In the coming weeks, the country will be “delighted” to receive the evaluation mission that Kenya intends to send. The objective will be to obtain information to guide the mandate of the multinational force.
Kenya announced on Saturday July 29 that it was willing to lead a multinational force in Haiti and deploy 1,000 police “to help train and assist the Haitian police to restore normality to the country and protect strategic facilities.” Haiti had officially requested international assistance since October 2022 to address its security concerns. The appeal had been broadcast on several occasions by the UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres.
Contrasted reception of Haitians
Countries candidates for military intervention are not abundant. For this reason, Port-au-Prince seems to appreciate Nairobi’s response to the appeal of the Haitian government and stakeholders. It should be noted that the security situation in the capital is not improving. The truce granted by the “Bwa Kalé” movement has come to an end. Gang violence is back in force, and the fear of kidnapping is more present than ever in the daily lives of Haitians. The gangs control about 80% of Port-au-Prince.
On the streets of the capital, the Kenyan proposal is received cautiously. “If they can help fight the gangs, let them come. Any country can come,” a Port-au-Prince resident tells his neighbor. “Kenya already has its problems. I don’t see how they can help us,” the neighbor replied. Meanwhile, several cases of kidnapping were reported in the Haitian capital over the weekend.
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