The United States government has urged for the swift deployment of a security force led by Kenya to Haiti after three US missionaries were killed in the violence-stricken Caribbean nation.
This call came shortly after the announcement by US non-profit Missions in Haiti Inc. that armed gunmen fatally shot three of its missionaries on Thursday night in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.
The recent deaths add to months of escalating violence in Port-au-Prince, where powerful armed groups exert significant control and have perpetrated numerous deadly attacks.
They coincide with Kenyan President William Ruto’s visit to Washington, DC, where he met with President Biden and other senior US officials to discuss various matters, including the long-pending deployment to Haiti.
A spokesperson from the National Security Council emphasised the urgency of addressing Haiti’s security situation, stating that President Biden had committed to supporting the swift deployment of the Kenyan-led force during discussions with President Ruto.
The spokesperson extended condolences to the families of the slain missionaries, acknowledging the profound grief they are enduring.
Missouri State Representative Ben Baker revealed on Friday that his daughter, Natalie Lloyd, and son-in-law, Davy Lloyd, were among those who lost their lives.
The couple had dedicated themselves to missionary work in Haiti, with Davy Lloyd being the son of David and Alicia Lloyd, founders of Missions in Haiti Inc., established in 2000.
The identity of the third individual killed has not yet been disclosed. The United Nations and various humanitarian organisations have been advocating for increased support for the people of Haiti amidst years of gang violence and political turmoil, exacerbated by the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
The recent surge in unrest, which began in February with gang assaults on police stations, prisons, and other government institutions, compelled Haiti’s unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.
An interim presidential council has since assumed leadership, but significant concerns and uncertainty persist.
The UN humanitarian coordinator in Haiti cautioned earlier this month that “hundreds of thousands of people, including many women and children, are trapped in violence that shows little sign of diminishing”.
As of mid-March, the UN reported that over 360,000 Haitians were internally displaced throughout the country, while at least 1,500 individuals had lost their lives due to gang violence since the start of the year.
Despite calls from numerous Haitian civil society leaders and citizens for assistance to bolster the country’s depleted and ill-equipped police force in restoring security, the planned deployment of foreign forces led by Kenya continues to provoke uncertainty and raise questions.
Kenya has pledged 1,000 police officers to the UN-backed mission, primarily funded by the US, with the objective of combating gangs.
The deployment is anticipated to eventually reach 2,500 personnel.
However, the commencement date of the mission remains uncertain, despite earlier suggestions that it might coincide with Kenyan President Ruto’s visit to the US.
According to Reuters, citing two anonymous sources, the deployment has been postponed, though the reasons for the delay are unclear.
Daniel Foote, a former US special envoy to Haiti, who has been critical of the Biden administration’s approach, voiced concerns regarding the unclear mandate of the mission.
“Do they have arrest authority? Are they going to be offensively engaging with the gangs, or will they primarily focus on protecting infrastructure without active movement?” Foote questioned during a discussion with Al Jazeera earlier this week.
These remarks came after President Biden and President Ruto’s joint news conference at the White House on Thursday.
Many Haitians remain cautious about external intervention due to previous failed missions that did not address systemic issues or bring stability to the country.
Notably, a UN peacekeeping force in Haiti was associated with a deadly cholera outbreak and allegations of sexual abuse.
When asked about the new police deployment to Haiti during Thursday’s news conference, President Ruto stated that Kenya believes peace and security are the responsibilities of all nations worldwide, including in Haiti.
The Kenyan president vowed that the deployment would “break the back” of gangs in the country.
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