PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A small delegation from Kenya met with senior police officials in Haiti on Monday to discuss possibly leading a coalition supported by the United Nations in an effort to bring stability to the country amid escalating gang violence.
“We are here to assess the needs of Haiti’s national police, better understand the situation and do our best to help the Haitian people,” Kenyan ambassador George Orina said in a statement.
The 10-person delegation was expected to stay until Wednesday after meeting with national police and Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
HAITI SPECIAL REPORT: Nonprofit speaks on gang violence, U.S. and U.N. intervention, and more
Kenya is the first nation to directly respond to calls for assistance with quelling the gang violence and warfare that has exceedingly worsened since the president was assassinated in 2021.
According to the United Nations, at least 2,439 people have been killed in Haiti between January and Aug. 15 this year. Kidnappings and sexual assaults have been rampant as some citizens have tried to bring order and protection to their neighborhoods. Many have fled their homes in search of safer neighborhoods as gangs controlled many cities.
A source told Reuters the Kenyan officials, who were at the police headquarters in Port-au-Prince on Monday, had met with police chief Frantz Elbe.
Following the assessment by Kenyan officials, a plan to deply security forces to Haiti will be sent to the United Nations for a vote, however a date is not yet known.
More background on the crisis in Haiti can be found here.
Blog dedicated to news and viewpoints from Black journalists who support, and inform, communities of color.
Original content, and curated articles, are posted and updated daily.