On August 16, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for an “urgent” multinational force including police and military to fight against armed gangs ravaging Haiti.
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| Haiti has been plagued by security problems in recent years, with domestic gangs terrorizing and robbing people. (Source: AP) |
In a 12-page letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on August 16, Secretary-General Guterres emphasized the need to call on "member states to deploy a multinational force outside the UN, including special police forces and military support units."
According to Mr. Guterres, addressing the security situation in Haiti requires a range of coercive law enforcement measures, including the active use of force in special police operations against heavily armed gangs.
Previously, UN Secretary General and Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry have repeatedly requested international intervention to support local police forces, in the face of armed gangs controlling 80% of the country's capital Port-au-Prince. Notably, domestic gangs have terrorized people with kidnappings, armed robberies and rapes.
In late July, Kenya affirmed its readiness to assume leadership of this multinational force, and mobilized 1,000 police officers to help train and support Haitian police to restore normalcy in the country, as well as protect strategic facilities.
However, this proposal still needs to be approved by the Security Council, although this international armed force will not be under the auspices of the UN.
On the same day, August 16, the leader of Haiti's most powerful gang, Jimmy Chérizier, warned that the group would fight back against any international armed forces sent to the Caribbean country if there were abuses.
Jimmy Chérizier said he would welcome foreign forces if they helped Haitian gangs arrest Prime Minister Ariel Henry and corrupt politicians and policemen accused of selling ammunition and weapons in poor neighborhoods in Haiti.
However, the powerful gang leader also said that the Haitian people would revolt if any international force repeated the actions of previous UN peacekeeping missions in Haiti. According to leader Jimmy Chérizier, the people of this country will “fight to the last breath to defend their dignity”.
Immediately afterwards, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric announced that the organization had no comment on the above information.
The Chérizier gang leader has been accused by Haitian authorities of masterminding several massacres in recent years, including a blockade of fuel depots in 2022 that paralyzed the Caribbean country for nearly two months.
Jimmy Chérizier is the only Haitian facing UN sanctions, after the Security Council confirmed charges of “engaging in acts that threaten the peace, security and stability of Haiti, and planning, directing or carrying out acts that constitute serious violations of human rights”.
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