United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for the deployment of a multinational police special force and military support units to combat gangs in Haiti, where heavily armed groups are wreaking havoc. In a detailed letter to the U.N. Security Council, Guterres outlined the severity of the situation in Haiti, where gangs now control about 80% of the capital. He also stressed the need for a robust use of force, coupled with parallel support for the national police and the restoration of democratic institutions. The call comes after the Haitian Prime Minister’s urgent appeal, with Kenya offering to lead the international force.
Key Points:
- Urgent Need for International Intervention: Guterres emphasized the urgency of deploying specialized armed forces to combat gangs in Haiti, which have become more structured and control a significant part of the capital. The situation is blocking aid delivery and increasing violence across the country.
- Kenya’s Offer and U.S. Support: Kenya has offered to lead the international force, and the U.S. plans to introduce a resolution authorizing Kenya to lead a multinational police force. However, Kenya’s police force is under scrutiny for alleged abuses, and the U.S. has warned against violent misconduct.
- Dire State of Haitian Police: The Haitian National Police face reports of gang infiltration, have lost 774 officers in the first half of the year, and around 40 of its 412 premises are unusable due to gang control. Guterres stressed that the current situation in Haiti is not suitable for U.N. peacekeeping, emphasizing the need for a specialized multinational force.
- Comprehensive Approach Proposed: Besides the deployment of a specialized force, Guterres suggested two potential U.N. options: providing logistical support to the multinational and national forces, and strengthening the U.N. political mission to train national police and support long-delayed elections and the restoration of democratic institutions.
- Human Rights Concerns: The situation in Haiti includes severe human rights abuses like public shootings, mutilations, and sexual violence. The call for a robust response aims to deter, neutralize, and disarm the gangs, but there are also concerns about potential abuses by the international forces, highlighted by warnings to Kenyan police officers.
