Kenya and US Will Send Troops to Restore Order in Haiti

Kenya and the United States are assembling a multinational force, with the support of countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, to restore law and order in Haiti, where armed gangs have made life hell for ordinary citizens.

The mission is expected to be approved by the United Nations Security Council and will be led by Kenya. It is designed to help Haiti’s struggling police force combat deadly gangs. At least 2,000 soldiers will be deployed, with Kenya alone agreeing to send 1,000 troops.

Kenya🇰🇪 to send 1,000 security officers to Haiti🇭🇹 to combat gang violence.

USA 🇺🇸 Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has thanked Kenya🇰🇪for volunteering to take the leadership of the Haiti multi national force and reiterated that the USA government would work with Congress to… pic.twitter.com/Wh318bPorc

— Africa Archives ™ (@Africa_Archives) September 26, 2023

Washington received similar commitments from countries in Asia and Africa.

“There was very strong support in the room from everybody for the UN Security Council resolution,” said Acting Deputy Secretary of State Victoria J. Nuland in a press conference.

China questioned the need for Security Council approval. It is not clear whether the country will veto the decision.

Politicians in Haiti are blaming each other for the current state of crisis. Meanwhile, the US has banned more than 50 senior Haitian officials from entering its territory on suspicion of covertly stoking the violence.

The US is the largest donor of aid to Haiti, providing more than $205 million in the last two years. Washington has also provided more than US$120 million to bolster the Haiti National Police and will provide an additional $65 million.