Arr! The UN Council be givin' the nod to send a Kenya-led crew to Haiti, to battle the scurvy dogs!
2023-10-02
Arrr! A sturdy fleet, with Kenya at its helm, be settin' sail to treacherous Haiti to quell th' scurvy gangs and restore order. 'Tis a jolly sight, mateys! 'Tis been more than two score 'n' a decade since such a daring expedition occurred. Shiver me timbers!
The U.N. Security Council has voted to send a multinational armed force to Haiti to combat violent gangs, marking the first deployment to the troubled country in almost 20 years. The resolution was approved with 13 votes in favor, with China and Russia abstaining. The force will deploy for one year, with a review after nine months. Haiti's prime minister had requested the immediate deployment of an armed force to quell the surge in gang violence and restore security for long-delayed elections. Kenya will lead the force, with other countries including Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda also pledging personnel. The deployment date has not been set but is expected within the next few months.The decision has been met with mixed reactions. Haiti's foreign affairs minister expressed gratitude for the approval but noted that it's "not enough" and urged the consideration of socioeconomic development to address extreme poverty. Critics have raised concerns about the history of international intervention in Haiti, including a previous U.N. mission marred by scandal. There have also been criticisms of Kenya's human rights record, with accusations of torture and other abuses by police.
The resolution's approval signals hope for the beleaguered people of Haiti, according to Kenya's U.N. ambassador. The U.S. has pledged logistics and $100 million to support the Kenyan-led force. However, Russia and China expressed reservations about the deployment, highlighting the need for a legitimate and responsible government in place before external support can have lasting effects.
The deployment of the armed force aims to restore peace and security in Haiti, allowing for long-awaited general elections. However, without a Haitian political solution based on free and fair elections, lasting success cannot be guaranteed, according to Brazil's U.N. Security Council president. The mission is expected to bring much-needed help to Haiti's population, but the work to support the country is far from over.