UN Presses Kenya to Deploy Police in Haiti as Violence Soars

HomeNewsUN Presses Kenya to Deploy Police in Haiti as Violence Soars

UN Presses Kenya to Deploy Police in Haiti as Violence Soars

Kenya has been requested by the United Nations (UN) to expedite the deployment of forces to Haiti to stem the escalating violence.

The United Nations, in a report titled Criminal Violence, Extends Beyond Port-au-Prince and published on Tuesday, demanded the immediate deployment of additional police forces but insisted that this action would not suffice.

Additionally, the United Nations stated that other nations needed to provide Haiti’s already overburdened security apparatus with their complete assistance.

“The spread of violence outside the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area calls for the reinforcement of police forces and the deployment as quickly as possible of the multinational security support mission,” read part of the report.

“It is essential that international actors, working alongside the Haitian authorities, adapt their methods of assistance to the population, insofar as the violence is spreading in a rural environment with a weak presence of state services.”

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Kenya was prepared to offer its forces as volunteers to lead the peace mission; however, the proposition has encountered resistance from both domestic and international actors since September, when it was initially put forth.

Ekuru Aukot, a former presidential candidate, initiated legal proceedings in early October to contest the deployment because it violated the constitution.

Subsequently, the High Court suspended the deployment two weeks ago because Justice Chacha Mwita was deeply troubled by the lawsuit. A decision is expected to be rendered on January 26, 2024.

Conversely, the National Assembly approved the deployment on November 16 to combat gang violence.

The approval was granted in defiance of the court order.

However, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki is among those who support the deployment; he stated that it will assist Kenyan officers in honing their abilities.

“I have faith and power that our police officers are well-skilled that’s why the United Nations has a lot of trust in us,” he stated.

A collage of Kenyan Police on the streets (left) and Haitian police during a protest (right)

UN Presses Kenya to Deploy Police in Haiti as Violence Soars

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