Haiti: The UN approves a security force

After almost a year of requesting foreign assistance, Haitian leaders have finally received a positive response from the United Nations. In fact, the U.N. Security Council approved the deployment of a multinational force led by Kenya to Port-au-Prince in order to address the ongoing issue of deadly gang violence. The Kenyan-led force, which will consist of 1,000 police officers, aims to bolster local security and support Haiti's national police. Additional support has been pledged by Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and the United States, with the U.S. committing up to USD200 million in aid. The deployment of foreign forces, under the control of the Kenyan government rather than the U.N., is expected to occur within the next two to three months. The security situation in Haiti's capital is dire, as approximately 90% of the city is under the control of gangs. Since the beginning of the year, over 3,000 people have been killed, more than 1,500 residents have been kidnapped, and around 200,000 individuals have been displaced due to the violence. The neighbouring Dominican Republic has even closed its borders to prevent the spread of gang violence. In response, the U.N. Security Council has urged foreign actors to cease arms sales to Haiti. However, the decision to send foreign forces to Haiti has faced criticism. Both China and Russia abstained from the Security Council vote, with China's representative at the U.N. expressing concern about the lack of a legitimate and effective government in place. Indeed, the current caretaker Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, has been in power since the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse in 2021 and has deferred elections until the nation's security situation improves. Likewise, human rights activists have raised concerns about Kenya's involvement, citing allegations of torture and excessive use of force by its police against civilians. Lastly, local Haitians also fear that foreign intervention could lead to unintended negative consequences, recalling the 2004 U.N. mission that introduced cholera to the island and allegations of sexual abuses committed by foreign forces against Haitian citizens.