Hope for Haiti: Foreign intervention, Risks and Benefits

After several months of descending into a political and humanitarian crisis. That has engulfed the country of Haiti. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse there is now a serious effort to bring about international intervention to prevent further humanitarian disaster. 

In a country that has had its own share of disasters over the years. Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, as a response to Caribbean leaders has, had the UN authorize the use of Kenyan forces, augmented by the Caribbean contribution of manpower to finally be organized, to be deployed in Haiti and to bring about some relief to the gripping paralysis, that gangs and violence. has done to destroy the infrastructure of the country and the operation of the country’s business. Haiti has had its share of previous foreign intervention. A country, a French, Caribbean colony that became the world’s first black republic at the start of the 19th century and has been an inspiration for revolt against foreign intervention and victory for their independence. Haiti has been an inspiration to black countries. She wrote the world for its braveness and its success in getting rid of foreign oppression. 

But Haiti was also invaded and occupied by the US from 1915 to 1935, when Marines and military occupation were sent in to run the country. Further U.S. military intervention occurred in 1994 and 2004 and to defend democracy and restore order as it is described by the U.S. So intervention in Haiti is a very sensitive subject and  many Haitians are very wary of intervention, especially those involved in the U.S. But even past peacekeeping deployment in Haiti by Brazilian led forces in 2004 -2017. Has had its controversy. In the morning were blamed for bringing cholera after the devastating 2010 earthquake.

But we believe this current step. This current organization of troops is a step in the right direction. And the move to put international boots on the ground is currently the only viable alternative to restoring some sort of semblance of stability in Haiti and to prevent more bloodshed and to remove the grip of gangs and the current government. Based on the U.N. security resolution that approved the mission, the force will carry out security operation and will have the authority to make arrests in coordination with the Haitian police. It will also aim to create the condition to hold elections, meaning that it has not had an election since 2016.

This will require a robust use of force that will be needed to disarm the gangs and restore order. These gangs have taken control of large parts of the country waging terror on the residents and killing hundreds. The foreign minister of Kenya,  Alfred Nganga Mutua has said that his countries deployment of forces would also like to help Haiti rebuild its vital infrastructure and establish a stable government. The Bahamas, Jamaica, Antigua, Barbuda and Belize have all said they will take part in the mission, it is understood that Spain, Senegal and Chile are also likely to deploy security personnel. CARICOM  as a group strongly back this international approach to deal with the complex of political and humanitarian crises that as and go the country, Haiti and CARICOM has named an eminent persons group, Former Prime Minister Bruce Golding of Jamaica, Perry Christie of the Bahamas and Kenny Anthony of Saint Lucia, as well as, CARICOM Secretary General Carla Barnett. Although I’ve been wrestling with the policy of what needs to be done in Haiti. And how fully endorse this movement of an international security force Deployment.

This is no small task and an effort to reach each a solution that connects political, security, development and humanitarian dimension all has to be taken into account and all has to be addressed. A group of democratic institutions, elected official have said in a letter to President Biden, as noted, that the turmoil in Haiti has deepened. A Biden administration has failed to replace the US personal envoy to the country and as in fact compounded the situation in Haiti by the ongoing deportation more than 9 million more to the country, it has flown more than 26,000 Haitians back to Haiti in most cases, allowing them to apply for asylum.

This is such an inhumane behavior that the U.S., the richest country in the world would punish one of the poorest countries. A constant flow of returning. Immigrants amidst an economic, humanitarian and security crisis. With all the risk it carries, the approach to an international sensitive force would provide the only current hope, even in the short term, to restore some stability to Haiti. And we believe and so does CARICOM and most of the Caribbean leaders, that this is a step that must be taken, and everyone should be working towards making this mission a success. The people of Haiti deserve it, and efforts should be made to achieve it.