A Kenya Airways jet carrying around 400 Kenyan police officers, landed at the international airport in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday morning, to help with a US-supported mission to bring back peace and stability to the Caribbean country.
The Kenyan forces’ arrival coincided with a day of intense and deadly violence in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. The police clashed with demonstrators protesting a burdensome tax bill on Kenyans with the ensuing chaos claimed the lives of innocent young protestors in Nairobi’s CBD after police used live ammunition and excessive force to quell the unrest.
Some security experts believe the Kenyan officers will face significant challenges in supporting Haiti’s police and confronting well-armed and highly organized Haitian gangs that have seized control of much of Port-au-Prince and vowed to fight the Kenyans.
Kenya’s police also have a dark history at home, with accusations from human rights groups of killing, abducting and abusing civilians. This raises concerns about their potential actions in Haiti.
The deployment of Kenyan officers is part of a global initiative to assist the people of Haiti and reinstate law and order. Their arrival was greeted with urgency and optimism, as they received support from US President Joe Biden for their mission.
“Rampant gang violence has killed or harmed thousands of children, women, and men. Over half a million people have been displaced. Gender-based violence is widespread. As gangs hinder access to critical supplies, nearly five million Haitians now face severe food insecurity.
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“I commend – and am deeply grateful to – all the countries that have pledged personnel and financial support to this mission that will grow to 2,500 multinational personnel, led by Kenya and including Benin, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Belize, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Algeria, Canada, France, Germany, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and Spain,” the US President said in his press briefing following the arrival of Kenyan forces.
Response from Haitian Gangs
Jimmy Chérizier, a notorious Haitian gang leader known as ‘Barbecue,’ issued a stern warning to the incoming forces. He declared that the Kenyan police would be seen as invaders and would be met with fierce resistance.
“If the Kenyan military or police come, whatsoever, I will consider them aggressors. We will consider them invaders and we do not have to collaborate with any invaders that have come to walk over our independence,” Barbecue said in an interview with Sky News.
Despite his aggressive stance, Barbecue mentioned a willingness to engage in peaceful dialogue to end the bloodshed, although he blamed the political elite for the ongoing violence. “In the days that are coming, things will get worse than they are right now because as long as they choose not to put everyone on the table for us to talk, it is the same system that will regenerate.”
The Mission’s Objectives
The primary goal of the Kenyan-led multinational police operation is to curb the rampant gang violence that has devastated Haiti. This intervention is expected to bring much-needed stability to the region, ensuring that key infrastructures such as the airport, the port, the presidential palace, and highways are secured from gang control.
“For our part, the United States is this mission’s largest financial contributor, providing over $300 million and up to $60 million in equipment. And we will continue our diplomatic outreach to encourage more countries to join this effort because what happens in Haiti matters to its neighbours, the region, and the world,” Biden said.
The Situation in Haiti
The violence in Haiti has reached unprecedented levels, with the United Nations reporting over 2,500 deaths or injuries this year alone due to gang-related activities. The gangs have orchestrated a coordinated uprising that has paralyzed the capital and led to the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. The human toll and the displacement of over half a million people underscore the urgent need for international intervention.
The mission, led by senior Kenyan officer Noor Gabow, will not be a solitary effort. It will receive personnel and financial support from several countries, including Benin, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Belize, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Algeria, Canada, France, Germany, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the UK, and Spain.
Challenges of Foreign Intervention
The history of foreign intervention in Haiti is fraught with controversy and mixed outcomes. Many Haitians harbour resentment towards international interference, particularly in light of past abuses by foreign forces. The memories of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti’s (Minustah) human rights violations and the devastating cholera outbreak are still fresh in the minds of many Haitians, making the current mission’s success contingent on maintaining strict adherence to human rights and transparency, a trait Kenya’s police are not especially known for.
Role of Kenyan Police
The Kenyan police contingent, led by Noor Gabow, brings a wealth of experience from previous peacekeeping missions in Sierra Leone and Rwanda. Gabow’s background in criminology and his practical experience are expected to be crucial in navigating the complex dynamics of Haiti’s security landscape.
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Long-term Goals
Beyond immediate security concerns, the long-term goals of the mission include supporting Haiti in holding its first elections since 2016. The newly appointed Prime Minister, Garry Conille, a former UNICEF official, is tasked with leading the country towards these elections. The international community hopes this mission will create a stable environment conducive to democratic governance and sustainable development.
While the mission faces considerable challenges, including resistance from powerful gangs and historical scepticism towards foreign intervention, it also brings a glimmer of hope for the Haitian people.
