Jamaican and Belizean Forces Join Kenyan-Led Mission in Haiti to Combat Gang Violence

Twenty soldiers and four police officers from Jamaica have joined a United Nations-backed mission in Haiti, led by Kenya, to address the escalating gang violence in the Caribbean nation. The Jamaican forces, accompanied by two senior military officers from Belize, were transported to Haiti by a U.S. military plane on Thursday. This mission is part of an international effort to stabilize Haiti, where gangs control about 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The Kenyan-led mission was authorized by the UN Security Council in October 2023, with the first group of Kenyan police officers arriving in Haiti in late June. Jamaica is the second country to officially join the mission, which is expected to eventually include personnel from the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, and Chad. The overall goal is to deploy approximately 2,500 personnel to Haiti, although exact timelines for the deployment of forces from other nations remain unclear.

The newly arrived Jamaican contingent will focus on providing command, planning, and logistics support, working closely with Haiti’s military and police to combat the gangs that have wreaked havoc on the nation. Jamaican authorities have pledged a total of 170 soldiers and 30 police officers, but logistical challenges have prevented the full deployment at this stage.

The U.S. has voiced concerns about the current mission’s lack of resources, suggesting that a traditional UN peacekeeping operation could better address funding and logistical issues. Such a mission would be financed through member nations’ assessed contributions and could potentially provide additional resources, including helicopters and medical facilities capable of performing surgeries—capabilities that the current mission lacks. Furthermore, a UN peacekeeping mission would allow for the mobilization of military forces beyond just police personnel, broadening the scope of international support.

However, the establishment of a formal UN peacekeeping operation requires approval from the UN Security Council, where support from all permanent members, including China and Russia, is not guaranteed. The U.S. and Ecuador have already circulated a draft resolution calling for the UN to begin planning for such a mission, but whether it will gain the necessary backing remains to be seen.

Since the arrival of Kenyan police officers in Haiti, significant progress has been made in regaining control of key infrastructure, including the main port, hospital, palace, major highways, and the airport in Port-au-Prince. The Kenyan-led forces, drawn from specialized units such as the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU), Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU), General Service Unit (GSU), and Border Patrol Unit (BPU), have also collaborated with local police in efforts to liberate major slums from gang control.

The mission continues amid ongoing violence and instability in Haiti, exacerbated by the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 and subsequent attacks by gangs on police stations, prisons, and the international airport. The violence has disrupted access to healthcare and resulted in over 2,500 deaths or injuries in the first three months of the year alone, according to the UN.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Haiti on September 5 to reaffirm U.S. support for the multinational mission and discuss its next steps, including the possibility of transitioning to a UN peacekeeping operation. Blinken’s visit coincided with Haiti’s government extending a state of emergency across the country, initially imposed to curb violence in the capital and surrounding areas.

Despite these efforts, challenges remain, including securing sufficient resources, maintaining international support, and addressing concerns voiced by Haitian officials who have been critical of the mission’s impact on the ground. The success of the Kenyan-led mission and any potential future UN peacekeeping operation will hinge on continued international cooperation and a clear plan to restore stability in Haiti, paving the way for long-overdue general elections.