US Campaign to Convert Kenya-Led Force in Haiti to UN Peacekeeping Mission

The United States is advocating for a U.N. peacekeeping force in Haiti to replace the Kenya-led multinational effort amid escalating gang violence and political turmoil. Despite initial proposals and attempts to secure U.N. Security Council approval, responses from Russia and China indicate skepticism. The operation remains critically underfunded, compounding issues with effectiveness and the historical context of foreign military interventions in Haiti.

The United States has intensified efforts to convert the Kenya-led multinational force in Haiti into a United Nations peacekeeping mission, driven by a spike in gang violence that recently suspended all air traffic to Port-au-Prince. Initially proposed in September, the shift aims to secure consistent funding for the force, which is struggling to assist Haiti’s national police amid worsening conditions. The violent landscape has worsened since the transitional council dismissed the interim prime minister last week, leading to increased gang activity reported to be controlling approximately 85% of the capital. While the U.S. seeks approval from the U.N. Security Council for a draft resolution to facilitate this transition, concerns have emerged from China and Russia, who have requested further consultations regarding the unfolding situation in Haiti. Currently, the deployed force is less than 20% of the planned 2,500 international police, challenging the efficacy of the mission. The U.N. trust fund sustaining this multinational force, reliant on voluntary contributions, is significantly underfunded, receiving only $85.3 million of the $96.8 million pledged, further hampering deployment efforts. Haiti’s gang violence has surged following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, prompting calls from Haitian leadership for a U.N. peacekeeping presence. Although the Kenyans marked the latest in a series of foreign military interventions since the early 1900s, mixed sentiments persist among Haitians regarding the efficacy and historical impact of such missions. Allegations from previous interventions underscore the complexities of external military assistance in Haiti’s tumultuous landscape. As the U.N. weighs its course of action, the ultimate effectiveness of any international force remains contingent upon adequate funding and a commitment to address the root causes of instability within the nation.

Haiti is currently grappling with severe gang violence, exacerbated by political instability following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse. The lack of effective governance has allowed gangs to gain control over much of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, leading to a decline in public safety and rising instances of killings, rapes, and kidnappings. The international community, particularly the United States, has stepped in with proposals for a peacekeeping force to bolster the Haitian national police and stabilize the situation. However, historical interventions have been met with skepticism due to past failures and the consequences of foreign military presence.

In summary, the U.S. is actively pursuing the transformation of the Kenya-led multinational force in Haiti to a U.N. peacekeeping mission as violence escalates within the capital. Both Russia and China have expressed reservations about this shift, demanding clarification on the situation in Haiti. The underlying issues of political instability and inadequate funding for the multinational efforts pose significant challenges while emphasizing the need for a carefully constructed approach to international military assistance in Haiti.

Original Source: apnews.com