April 2, 2024
Canada has dispatched approximately 70 soldiers to Jamaica to provide training for Caribbean troops set to participate in an UN-authorized mission to Haiti, according to the Canadian defense ministry on Saturday.
Last year, Kenya took the lead in organizing the mission, aimed at assisting national police in combating potent gangs in Haiti, where escalating violence has led to a dire humanitarian crisis, Reuters reports.
However, legal challenges in Kenya have stalled the initiative.
The troops from Canada, hailing from the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec, will offer instruction on fundamental peacekeeping techniques and combat first aid.
This move aligns with Haiti’s official languages, one of which is French.
During their stay in Jamaica, slated for an initial month, the troops will train approximately 330 Caribbean troops from Jamaica, Belize, and the Bahamas.
Last month, Canada pledged C$80.5 million to support the deployment of the Kenyan-led mission.
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Haiti Struggles Amid Soaring Gang Violence
William O’Neill, a United Nations expert, disclosed that Haiti urgently requires up to 5,000 international police officers to address the “catastrophic” surge in Haiti gang violence, responsible for over 1,500 deaths in the initial three months of this year alone, Aljazeera noted.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recently released a report underscoring the critical need for immediate and decisive action to tackle the dire situation in Haiti.
Haiti has been grappling with political instability and violence, exacerbated by the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021.
The resulting power vacuum has emboldened numerous armed Haiti gangs, particularly those controlling much of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The situation worsened in February when Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherizier, a former police officer, mobilized heavily armed factions to oust unelected Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
Despite Henry’s promise to resign, violence targeting vital institutions has persisted, exacerbating hunger and displacement.
The OHCHR report revealed alarming statistics, with over 4,400 killed and 1,600 wounded by gang violence last year.
Tragically, even infants have become victims of this brutality.
Haiti Gangs have resorted to egregious tactics, including recruiting and exploiting children, as well as using sexual violence as a tool of control.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk condemned these atrocities, urging swift intervention in a nation teetering on the edge of collapse.
Kenya’s Prime Minister William Ruto, awaiting the establishment of a transitional council in Haiti, has postponed the deployment of up to 1,000 personnel. Several other countries have pledged their support.
Mob Violence Reflects Haiti’s Desperation
In a grim illustration of Haiti’s turmoil, two men were lynched by a mob amid suspicions that they were supplying weapons to the gangs plaguing the nation, according to AP News.
The incident, which occurred in a town near Mirebalais, underscores the profound anger among Haitians after enduring months of gang-related violence, kidnappings, and armed assaults.
Haiti Gangs have targeted critical infrastructure across Port-au-Prince, including police stations, the airport, and prisons, resulting in mass jailbreaks.
William O’Neill emphasized the urgent need for international support to restore security in Haiti, stressing the necessity of swiftly deploying the proposed international security force.
The formation of a transitional presidential council is deemed crucial to address Haiti’s political vacuum.
Kenya’s President William Ruto has indicated a reluctance to deploy personnel until a Haitian counterpart is in place.
O’Neill stressed the urgency of funding the trust fund for the international police operation, highlighting Haiti’s appeal for assistance since October 2022.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also called for international intervention, signaling the gravity of Haiti’s plight.