In an effort to help a proposed international force led by Kenya restore security to conflict-torn Haiti, the Biden administration pledged $100 million on Friday and pushed other countries to match it.
The expedition, which still requires approval from the UN Security Council, will receive logistical support from the US, including intelligence, airlift, communications, and medical care, according to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Other countries pledging to send personnel include Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda in addition to Kenya, which would lead the mission.
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For the mission to be successful, Blinken pleaded with the world community for additional personnel, supplies, logistics, training, and financing.
He reminded his foreign minister colleagues from more than 20 nations who have endorsed the mission, “The people of Haiti cannot wait much longer.”
According to Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who repeated Blinken’s concern in his Friday address to the UN General Assembly, the use of force “remains essential to create an environment in which the state can function again.”
Among the crimes committed by gangs, according to PM Henry are,“kidnapping, pillaging, fires, the recent massacres, sexual and sexist violence, organ trafficking, human trafficking, homicides, extrajudicial executions, the recruitment of child soldiers (and) the blocking of main roads.”
He noted, “Democracy is at peril. Our country needs a return to normalcy.”
Blinken argued that in order for the force to be operational in the upcoming few months, the Security Council must quickly approve the mission to Haiti. He emphasized, however, that Haiti’s recovery from years of graft, lawlessness, gang violence, and political turmoil might involve more than just international aid.
“Improved security must be accompanied by real progress to resolve the political crisis,” he said. “The support mission will not be a substitute for political progress.”
The prime minister of Haiti stated in his statement that elections will be held “as soon as practically possible.” He promised that, with assistance from the international community, he would take the necessary actions for electoral consensus in the upcoming days and would continue to consult with all political players and leaders of civil society.
In addition, Blinken convened a private meeting on Friday to discuss Haiti, the requirements for the planned Kenyan mission, and the results of a trip to Haiti by senior Kenyan officials in August. According to a senior US official who went on the record under the condition of anonymity to discuss the discussions, more than 30 nations participated in the meeting and at least 11 of them made specific assurances of support.
It was unclear what type of assistance was promised, and the representative made no mention of China’s or Russia’s positions on a potential UN Security Council resolution that would approve the Kenyan operation.
As he established diplomatic ties with the Caribbean Island, Kenyan President William Ruto stated that his government was committed to leading a multinational force in Haiti to stop gang violence. Although world leaders and UN officials have urged prompt action, the US has stated that it will seek a UN resolution authorizing such a mission. It should be noted that Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry requested the urgent deployment of a foreign armed force in October.
According to the most recent UN figures, gang violence has increased in recent months in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and its environs, with 1,860 individuals reported murdered, injured, or kidnapped from April to June, a 14% rise compared to the first three months of the year.
