The International Crisis Group, a non-profit NGO, released its latest report on Haiti’s ongoing gang crisis on Friday, which stressed the growing challenges of an international intervention to address the country’s deteriorating security situation.
Haiti has been grappling with escalating violence and political turmoil, exacerbating its already dire humanitarian emergency. The UN Security Council responded to the Haitian government’s plea for assistance by authorizing the deployment of a multinational force. Kenya volunteered to lead the mission, contributing 1,000 police officers. However, judicial proceedings may impede the timely deployment of the mission, and operational challenges, such as shifting gang allegiances and corruption among police and politicians, pose additional obstacles.
The multinational mission, set to deploy in early 2024, faces considerable operational and political challenges. The Crisis Group underlines that for the mission to be effective, it must have sufficient troops, training, and equipment to overpower the gangs. It also stresses the importance of preparing for urban combat and developing community-level sources of intelligence to minimize harm to civilians. Additionally, the report emphasizes the need for a political settlement and significant reforms to ensure lasting gains.
The Crisis Group recommends that a small team of Kenyan personnel arrive in Haiti early to assess the terrain and ensure that the mission is adequately prepared before deploying in force. The report also highlights the importance of engaging with local experts, developing intelligence networks, and implementing a demobilization program to facilitate the exit of gang members seeking to leave their criminal activities.
Despite skepticism and weariness regarding international interventions in Haiti due to their mixed track record, the Crisis Group asserts that the current situation necessitates foreign assistance. As the multinational mission prepares to tackle Haiti’s gang crisis, it will face significant challenges, including potential alliances among the gangs, risks to civilian safety in urban warfare, and the need to address corruption within the police force. They group says that adequate preparation and adherence to UN-mandated safeguards, particularly to prevent the repetition of past misdeeds by peacekeeping missions, will be critical to the mission’s effectiveness.
