Kenya Considers Leading Multinational Force to Combat Gang Violence in Haiti
The government of Kenya has expressed its willingness to take the lead in helping Haiti combat heavily armed gangs after receiving a message from U.S. officials. The Biden administration sent a U.S. delegation to Nairobi to discuss the matter, and Kenya has now said it will “positively consider” sending 1,000 of its police officers to the troubled Caribbean nation. The surge in armed gang violence in Haiti has resulted in the withdrawal of non-emergency personnel from the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince and the deaths of dozens of Haitians in a rural valley just north of the capital.
However, despite Kenya’s offer, a top Biden administration official has stated that there is still much to be done before the deployment of foreign police officers to Haiti. The outcome of a Kenyan government assessment mission to Haiti and a vote by the United Nations Security Council will determine the next steps. The U.N. Secretary-General has been given 30 days to report back on options for assisting Haiti with its security situation, and Prime Minister Ariel Henry is currently considering four different options, ranging from a large mission with police and military contingents to a medium-sized mission authorized to use force and disarm gangs.
The U.S. delegation that visited Nairobi discussed the U.S.’s intentions while also gauging Kenya’s willingness to take on the leadership role. Kenya’s President William Ruto, who had previously spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Prime Minister Henry, has been a vocal advocate for African countries leading efforts to help Haiti. Although no concrete assurances were given during the meeting, Kenya’s Foreign Minister Alfred N. Mutua issued a statement expressing the country’s commitment to seriously consider providing assistance.
Kenya plans to deploy an assessment mission to Haiti in mid-August, with some members visiting the U.S. for further discussions and a smaller contingent meeting with Haitian authorities in Port-au-Prince. The decision to fully commit to the mission will be made after the assessment. If the mission goes ahead, officers will undergo vetting and pre-deployment training. Discussions on accountability are also ongoing, as the Kenyan government is aware of the sensitivity and history of international interventions in Haiti.
Kenya’s offer is seen as a significant development in the ongoing appeal for an international force to support Haiti’s police force. The appeal was first made by Prime Minister Henry in October, when a powerful gang federation blocked the entrance to the country’s main fuel terminal and port, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. Despite initial skepticism and reluctance, countries such as The Bahamas, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago volunteered to help. However, none of them had the capacity to lead the mission. With Kenya considering leading the force, the U.S. and the U.N. have called on other nations, particularly from the region, to join forces with Kenya.
The proposed Kenya-led mission will operate under a Security Council mandate but will not have the same monitoring and oversight capabilities as a traditional U.N. peacekeeping operation. A resolution is being drafted to provide guidance to Kenya and establish its presence on the ground. The mission will focus on stabilizing Haiti and paving the way for a stable government that can effectively address the country’s security challenges.
The withdrawal of non-emergency personnel from the U.S. embassy in Port-au-Prince was ordered on the same day that the U.S. assistant secretary of state for the Western Hemisphere, Brian Nichols, spoke about the challenges of finding a nation willing to lead the intervention in Haiti. He highlighted Kenya’s capabilities and the fact that it has been dealing with its own terrorist problem along its northern border. However, he emphasized that the primarily political solution to Haiti’s security issues should not be overshadowed.
The situation in Haiti remains critical, with ongoing gang violence and atrocities committed by armed groups. The international community, including Kenya, is now working towards a consensus on the best approach to stabilize the country and restore safety and security.