A police officer inspects a public transportation vehicle at a checkpoint in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.
Odelyn Joseph/AP
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Odelyn Joseph/AP
A police officer inspects a public transportation vehicle at a checkpoint in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.
Odelyn Joseph/AP
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Haiti’s radio stations were inundated with calls just hours after a Kenyan court blocked the U.N.-backed police force deployment to help combat gangs in the troubled Caribbean nation. In the wake of the ruling, uncertainty and fear have gripped the country, with violence escalating as gangs strengthen their hold on Haiti’s capital and beyond.
Diego Da Rin from the International Crisis Group warned of a dire scenario in Haiti in the absence of a robust external mission deployed quickly to address the escalating crisis. Gangs, which control an estimated 80% of Haiti’s capital, have recently launched attacks on previously peaceful communities, leading to increased fatalities and injuries, sparking concerns that they could soon extend their control over all of Port-au-Prince.
The violence in Haiti has reached unprecedented levels. The number of reported killings last year doubled to almost 4,500, and reported kidnappings surged by over 80% to around 2,500 cases, based on recent U.N. statistics. Haiti’s National Police force is facing a severe shortfall in officers, with over 1,600 officers leaving the department last year, and an additional 48 reported killed. The already strained police force is being overwhelmed by gangs. Moreover, the equipment provided by the international community to support the underfunded police department has suffered significant damages during anti-gang operations.
The crushing blow delivered by the Kenyan court ruling has left many Haitians feeling hopeless. It has raised concerns regarding the efficacy of the international community in addressing the security crisis in Haiti. The ruling has prompted calls for alternative solutions to address the escalating gang violence, including tapping into Haiti’s military at an embryonic stage and mobilizing recently trained soldiers to work alongside the police.
The setback caused by the court ruling has prompted urgent discussions among concerned countries to determine the next steps to support Haiti in restoring stability. The ruling has underscored the need for Haiti to implement its own strategies to combat gang violence, amid mounting concerns over the insufficient resources available at the local level.
As Haiti braces for a potential plan B, it is feared that the situation could deteriorate further, particularly with the recent arrival of former Haitian rebel leader Guy Philippe, who has not supported the now-blocked Kenyan-led mission. The ruling has left many Haitians feeling more desperate as they seek a way out of the security crisis.
Lawyers react as Justice Chacha Mwita delivers judgement on a petition against the deployment of Kenyan forces to Haiti, at Milimani court in the capital Nairobi, Kenya, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.
Brian Inganga/AP
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Brian Inganga/AP
Lawyers react as Justice Chacha Mwita delivers judgement on a petition against the deployment of Kenyan forces to Haiti, at Milimani court in the capital Nairobi, Kenya, Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.
Brian Inganga/AP
