Washington is contemplating a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti to bolster funding and personnel for a Kenya-led effort addressing gang violence on the island. Brian A. Nichols, the U.S. assistant secretary for Western Hemisphere affairs, discussed the potential strategy as a means to supplement the current mission, faced with limited resources and support. The U.N. Security Council would need to approve a peacekeeping operation, though experts doubt its feasibility given past controversies involving U.N. presence in Haiti.
Nichols highlighted that the existing U.N.-backed mission relies on voluntary contributions, with major funding coming from the U.S. and Canada. Approximately 400 Kenyan police are already in Haiti, but the mission necessitates the deployment of forces from various countries, totaling 2,500 personnel. The endeavor is estimated to cost around $600 million annually, with only $85 million in pledges secured so far.
Despite the international aid, residents in Haiti have expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in curbing gang violence since the Kenyan forces arrived. Nichols urged other nations to make substantial financial contributions to sustain the mission’s operations and facilitate the deployment of additional units. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit Haiti and the Dominican Republic to engage with local leaders and promote crucial steps, including the formation of an electoral council for upcoming elections.
Following political turmoil and the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse, gang violence escalated in Haiti, leading to widespread unrest and insecurity. Efforts to restore stability and governance have faced obstacles, including corruption allegations involving members of the transitional council. While the situation remains complex, Nichols acknowledged some progress, particularly in joint operations against gangs and leaders, emphasizing the importance of transparency and good governance.
Beyond political engagements, efforts are underway to address the humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where violence has displaced hundreds of thousands and claimed thousands of lives. Establishing diplomatic relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is also a priority, even as tensions persist along the shared border. Nichols emphasized the need for respectful bilateral decisions while advocating for stability and cooperation between the neighboring nations.
