As world leaders convene at the United Nations to address the escalating gang violence in Haiti, Haitians are expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of international interventions in curbing the crisis. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Haiti has been plagued by rampant gang activity, with the current UN-backed force of 400 Kenyan police officers and a few Jamaican officers struggling to contain the violence.
Efforts to restore order in Haiti have been complicated by the reluctance to deploy a UN peacekeeping force due to past controversies, including the introduction of cholera and cases of sexual abuse during previous missions. Despite the challenges, Kenya has pledged to send an additional 600 officers to support the existing security mission in Haiti.
During a recent visit to Haiti, Kenya's President expressed openness to expanding the country's operations into a larger UN peacekeeping mission if deemed necessary by the UN Security Council. However, a UN human rights expert report highlighted the escalating spread of gang violence in Haiti and the inadequate logistical and technical capabilities of the Haitian police to combat the gangs effectively.
The pervasive violence has left many Haitians disillusioned with international efforts, with some resorting to forming vigilante groups to confront the gangs themselves. The sentiment on the ground reflects a lack of confidence in the ability of foreign interventions to bring about lasting change in Haiti.
While some hope rests on planned elections next year as a potential Haitian-led solution to the crisis, challenges remain, including the need to establish a provisional election council amid ongoing violence. The absence of general elections since 2016 underscores the deep-rooted challenges facing Haiti as it navigates its path towards stability.
Despite calls for unity and self-reliance among Haitians, concerns persist about the feasibility of holding elections in a climate of pervasive violence and insecurity. The uncertainty surrounding the safety of the electoral process raises questions about the viability of conducting elections in such a volatile environment.
As Haiti grapples with escalating violence and political instability, the international community faces a complex dilemma in finding a sustainable solution to the country's deep-rooted challenges.
