In a significant effort to address the escalating gang violence in Haiti, around 1,000 Kenyan police officers are set to be deployed to the Caribbean nation.

Last year, Kenya volunteered to lead a multinational Haiti security mission, but in January, the High Court blocked the plan, citing the government's lack of authority to deploy police abroad without a proper agreement, according to Yahoo! News.

Haiti's Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, visited Kenya to salvage the plan, which faced legal obstacles in both countries.

The High Court in Kenya ruled that the National Security Council lacked legal authority to send police outside the country.

Despite challenges, President William Ruto of Kenya and Prime Minister Henry signed an agreement during the visit, outlining the next steps to expedite the deployment.

In response to the urgent situation in Haiti, where nearly 5,000 deaths were reported due to gang violence last year, the international community is rallying support.

The Bahamas has committed 150 personnel, and additional assistance is expected from Jamaica, Antigua & Barbuda, the US, which pledged $200 million, and Benin, offering 2,000 troops to support the Haiti security mission.

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Gang Violence Grips Haiti

Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, has witnessed a surge in gang violence following the 2021 assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse.

The absence of a successor and postponed elections since 2016 have exacerbated the turmoil.

Port-au-Prince experienced a day of intense gun violence, with gangs targeting police stations, a police academy, and the Toussaint-Louverture International Airport.

Jimmy Cherizier, known as "Barbecue" and a prominent gang leader, declared a coordinated attack to oust Prime Minister Henry in a video statement, VOA reports.

The violence prompted the closure of the airport, businesses, government agencies, and schools as panic-stricken families navigated the streets.

Henry assumed leadership after Moïse's assassination, pledging new elections twice but failing to fulfill the promises.

Critics, including thousands of protesters, have demanded Henry's resignation, aligning with a political deal that required elections and a transfer of power by February 7.

Mission for Humanity Amid Opposition

Facing opposition at home, President Ruto defended Kenya's involvement as a "mission for humanity," aligning with the country's history of contributing to peacekeeping missions abroad, France 24 noted.

Protests in Haiti have intensified, demanding Henry's resignation and swift elections. Henry, visiting Nairobi, assured university students of his commitment to organizing elections at the earliest.

The Haiti security mission, initially approved for one year, envisioned Kenyan police collaborating with their Haitian counterparts against outnumbered and outgunned gang members.

The deployment aims to bring stability to Haiti, a nation grappling with unprecedented levels of violence and political turmoil.

As international efforts converge to address the crisis, the success and impact of the mission remain pivotal for Haiti's future.

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This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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