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Port-au-Prince, Haiti – On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the first contingent of 400 Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
The deployment marks the beginning of Kenya participation in a United Nations-backed mission aimed at restoring peace and combating rampant gang violence in the country.
The United Nations request Africa countries to contribute a total of 1,000 police officers to this peacekeeping mission, with Kenya taking the lead.
In total, the UN requested 2,500 police officers from various nations, including the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad, and Jamaica, to assist in stabilizing Haiti.
The deployment comes in response to the escalating violence led by notorious gang leader Jimmy Chérizier, also known as “Barbecue.” Chérizier, a former elite police officer, commands the powerful G9 and Family gang coalition. His gang has been implicated in numerous violent incidents, including blockades, massacres, and prison breaks.
Chérizier’s gang gained control over key areas and critical infrastructure, such as the Varreux fuel terminal, which he blockaded in 2022.
The blockade aimed to force government resignations and secure amnesty for gang members. In 2024, his gang’s attacks led to the escape of thousands of prisoners and the targeting of government officials, contributing to the widespread instability in Haiti.
As the Kenya police officers begin their patrols in Port-au-Prince, they face significant challenges in restoring order as the leader of the gang chant anti-Kenya Police.
The presence of international police forces is a crucial step in addressing the ongoing violence and helping Haiti regain stability.
Haiti, located in the Caribbean Sea, occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola, sharing the island with the Dominican Republic to the east.
Haiti is part of the Greater Antilles island group in the Caribbean region. The country’s current situation highlights the need for international cooperation in combating gang violence and restoring peace.
