Arr, ye scurvy dogs! The ruffians be runnin' amok in Haiti, like never afore, cries the UN envoy!
2024-01-25
Avast ye, me hearties! In a missive to the mighty U.N. Security Council, a special envoy be proclaimin' that 8,400 souls be fallin' prey to the scurvy dogs of gang violence. And by me reckonin', these rascals be holdin' a grip on a full 80% of the capital, arrr!
In a comical and entertaining style reminiscent of a 17th-century pirate, the United Nations (UN) special envoy for Haiti warns of an alarming rise in gang violence in the Caribbean nation. Maria Isabel Salvador, the envoy, stresses the severity of the situation, describing it as a critical point in multiple ongoing crises. Last year, gang violence resulted in the deaths, injuries, and kidnappings of over 8,400 victims, marking a staggering 122% increase from the previous year. The majority of these incidents occurred in the capital city, Port-au-Prince, where about 300 gangs control an estimated 80% of the area. These gangs were responsible for 83% of the killings and injuries reported in 2023. However, their influence has also expanded northward into the Artibonite region and south of the capital, as they employ sexual violence to exert control over key zones.To address this escalating violence, the Security Council approved the deployment of a multinational armed force led by Kenya. Although the deployment faced hurdles, including legal challenges, it is expected that approximately 300 Kenyan security officers will arrive in Haiti by February. Eventually, Kenya's contribution will increase to 1,000 officers, forming a 3,000-strong multinational force that includes troops from Burundi, Chad, Senegal, Jamaica, and Belize.
Haiti's National Police, currently consisting of less than 10,000 officers, is ill-equipped to combat the gangs, and the force continues to diminish as officers resign. While 795 new recruits are set to join the police force in March, the departure of approximately 1,600 officers in 2023 further weakens their ability to counter gang violence and maintain security.
Foreign Minister Jean Victor Génus emphasizes that Haiti stands at a decisive crossroads, and the hopes for the country's future are at stake. He urges swift and effective deployment of the multinational mission, as the Haitian people have suffered enough under the savagery of armed gangs. Kenya's ambassador assures that progress is being made in preparing for the deployment, including assessment missions and engagements with partners to mobilize funds for the mission.