More Countries Send Troops to Haiti

On Sunday, September 8, Commander of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, Godfrey Otunge, announced that three additional nations are preparing to send troops to Haiti to bolster efforts in stabilizing the gang-affected Caribbean nation.

The Bahamas, Jamaica, and Belize are expected to deploy advance contingents before the end of the month, a significant development for the MSS mission, which has primarily been viewed as a Kenyan-led effort. Otunge highlighted the importance of this multinational involvement, stating that the inclusion of these countries’ forces would reshape the perception of the mission.

“This will give the MSS mission the multinational face it has been missing,” Otunge noted, explaining that the mission has so far been seen as predominantly Kenyan. He expressed confidence that with broader participation, the MSS’s image would better reflect the international community’s commitment to Haiti’s stabilization.

During a briefing, Otunge outlined the recent successes of the mission while acknowledging the ongoing challenges in combatting gang violence and instability. One of the primary difficulties is securing areas that have already been reclaimed from gangs and safeguarding critical government infrastructure.

To address this, Otunge emphasized the importance of establishing Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) to maintain control of pacified areas and protect key assets. “These bases will be essential in holding pacified regions and securing vital government infrastructure,” he said.

Otunge also praised the strong cooperation between the MSS mission and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). He stressed the need for continued collaboration to ensure lasting peace, noting that the MSS and BINUH have been instrumental in reclaiming gang-controlled zones.

In a high-level meeting on Saturday, September 7, 2024, Otunge met with Miroslav Jenča, Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas of the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA) and the Department of Peace Operations (DPO). He reaffirmed the mission’s commitment to sustaining operations in gang-affected areas, stating, “Gang leaders will have nowhere to run unless they lay down their weapons and surrender to the government.”

Despite these milestones, Otunge acknowledged that the Kenya police mission in Haiti continues to face numerous challenges that threaten the overall success of restoring peace to the country.