Kenya’s President William Ruto made a visit to Haiti over the weekend, asserting that the security situation in the country had significantly improved due to the efforts of Kenyan police forces combating gangs. However, this claim was contradicted by a United Nations security expert who had recently warned of escalating violence as gangs extended their control over Haiti.
President Ruto was welcomed by armed officers and officials upon his arrival in Haiti. He commended the Kenyan police for their bravery and dedication in maintaining security infrastructure, allowing displaced Haitians to return home. Despite his positive remarks, many Haitians argue that violence remains rampant, if not worsened, since the police deployment in June.
During his visit, President Ruto met with Kenyan forces and Haitian officials before heading to New York for discussions with U.N. leaders on supporting resource-limited Kenyan and Jamaican forces in combating the gangs in Haiti. Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Kenya was the first country to deploy forces as part of the U.N.’s international assistance initiative.
Haiti’s security situation continues to deteriorate, with gangs controlling a significant portion of the capital city, Port-au-Prince. U.N. human rights expert William O’Neill recently highlighted the spread of gang violence across Haiti and the challenges faced by the Haitian National Police in combating these threats.
Efforts are underway to expand the security mission in Haiti to reach a total of 2,500 personnel, with contributions pledged from countries like the Bahamas, Bangladesh, and Chad. Despite calls for a U.N. peacekeeping force, concerns persist about past issues such as the introduction of cholera and cases of sexual abuse during previous U.N. missions in Haiti.
President Ruto’s visit coincided with the establishment of a provisional electoral council in Haiti, a move long awaited by the international community to facilitate the first general election in the country since 2016. With Haiti grappling with a power vacuum post-Moïse’s assassination, the rise of gangs underscores the urgency for restoration of order through upcoming elections and ongoing peacekeeping efforts.
