Kenya"s president visits Haiti amid UN peacekeeping challenges

Kenyan President William Ruto's visit to Haiti marks a significant moment as the United Nations seeks to address the challenges faced by the peacekeeping mission involving Kenyan and Jamaican forces. These forces are currently struggling to manage the rampant gang violence that has plagued the nation, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where gangs control approximately 80% of the area. The situation has escalated since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, leading to increased instability and a power vacuum that gangs have exploited. Approximately 400 Kenyan police are already deployed in Haiti, with a small contingent of Jamaican police and soldiers arriving recently. However, the United States and other nations have expressed concerns that the current troop levels are insufficient and lack the necessary resources to effectively combat the gangs. The mission is expected to expand to a total of 2,500 personnel, with additional contributions from countries like the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, and Chad, although timelines for their deployment remain uncertain. The U.N. has faced criticism regarding its previous peacekeeping efforts in Haiti, particularly due to incidents of cholera outbreaks and allegations of sexual abuse. This history complicates discussions about the potential for a new U.N. peacekeeping force. Amidst this backdrop, a U.N. human rights expert has highlighted the worsening gang violence and the inadequacies of Haiti's National Police in addressing the crisis. Ruto's visit coincides with Haiti's establishment of a provisional electoral council, a move that the international community has long advocated for. This council aims to facilitate the first general elections since 2016, with hopes that restoring democratic processes will help stabilize the country alongside the ongoing peacekeeping efforts.