Haiti is on the verge of a possible foreign intervention as the country struggles to combat the escalating violence and gang activity that has plagued it for years. Prime Minister Ariel Henry has called for a “specialized armed force” to restore order, but after several countries declined to lead such a force, Kenya has expressed its willingness to consider taking the helm. Talks are currently underway to draft a resolution on the matter to be presented to the U.N. Security Council. However, there are concerns that any intervention should not repeat the mistakes of the past and should prioritize the protection of the Haitian population.
Gang violence in Haiti has surged since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Criminals now control large parts of the capital and are spreading their influence into rural areas, perpetrating acts of kidnapping, rape, and murder. The Haitian police force has been overwhelmed and outmatched by the gangs, leaving many residents feeling unsafe and unprotected.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres has stated that the situation in Haiti is not conducive to a peacekeeping mission and has called for the deployment of police special forces and military support units to tackle the gangs. The United States has backed Henry’s call for an international force but maintains that it should be primarily a policing support mission rather than a military intervention. The U.S. has promised significant financial backing for the force, and Kenya has expressed its willingness to contribute 1,000 police officers. Several Caribbean nations have also indicated their openness to contributing personnel.
Critics of the intervention fear that it may only serve to prop up Henry, whom they see as illegitimate, as progress towards holding elections and appointing a new president has been slow. They also worry about the potential for the force to repeat the mistakes of past interventions, which were marred by allegations of human rights abuses and a cholera outbreak that caused the deaths of thousands of Haitians.
Efforts to persuade other countries to lead the force have been met with challenges, with potential contributing nations lacking the personnel and logistical capabilities to deploy a viable force without U.S. assistance, according to a leaked U.S. intelligence document. This has left Kenya, a country with experience participating in international deployments, considering taking on the responsibility.
As the talks continue and a resolution is drafted, the situation in Haiti remains dire. The Haitian people are in desperate need of security and stability, and it is paramount that any foreign intervention prioritizes their protection and addresses the root causes of the violence and unrest.