The United Nations Security Council has authorised a controversial multinational security mission to Haiti, led by Kenya, in response to the Caribbean nation's spiralling gang violence crisis. This decision comes over a year after Haiti's government first pleaded for international intervention.
A Nation Under Siege
Haiti has descended into chaos following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, with armed gangs now controlling approximately 80% of the capital Port-au-Prince. The violence has reached catastrophic levels, with the UN reporting nearly 3,000 homicides this year alone - a 50% increase from 2022.
Kenya Steps Forward
Kenya has volunteered to lead the force, pledging 1,000 police officers. "This mission is one of the most urgent for international peace and security today," stated Kenyan Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua. The security team will focus on protecting critical infrastructure like airports, ports, schools and hospitals.
International Response
The resolution passed with 13 votes in favour and 2 abstentions (Russia and China). US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield called it "a decisive step," while Haiti's Foreign Minister Jean Victor Généus expressed gratitude for "this ray of hope."
Challenges Ahead
Human rights groups have raised concerns about potential abuses, given the troubled history of foreign interventions in Haiti. The mission faces logistical hurdles and must navigate complex gang dynamics in Port-au-Prince's sprawling slums.
With Haiti's institutions in collapse and cholera resurgent, this UN-backed mission represents a last-ditch effort to prevent complete state failure in the Western Hemisphere's poorest nation.
