The Kenyan police contingent in Haiti leading a long-delayed security operation in the conflict-ravaged nation has received a significant boost after 24 additional armored vehicles were delivered.
The Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) to Haiti stated on Saturday, August 24, that the fight against gangsters in Haiti will be strengthened with the arrival of more hardware to be used for operations.
“On Friday, August 23, 2024, the war against gangsters in Haiti was advanced when more hardware, including ambush-resistant armored vehicles, were received to be used for operations,” MSSM said.
“The French government gave a huge boost to the Haitian National Police (HNP) when they delivered 24 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) with turrets at the National Port in Haiti.”
US Delivers MRAP Vehicles
The US government, through the Department of Defense (DOD), also delivered two more Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) MaxxPro vehicles with turrets to MSSM Force Commander Godfrey Otunge, with more expected in the coming days.
Both the French and US governments have maintained their steadfast commitments and contributions to the MSSM in Haiti.
MSSM stated that more equipment and vehicles are expected in the coming weeks as the first phase of the pre-deployment comes to a close.
More force-contributing countries like the Bahamas and Jamaica have indicated plays to deploy to the theatre very soon.
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Kenyan police Commander in Haiti, Godfrey Otunge, while receiving the equipment issued a stern warning to notorious gangs declaring that their days are numbered and urging them to stop tormenting the citizens.
He emphasized that ongoing joint patrols and training between the Kenyan contingent’s special forces and the Haitian SWAT team have significantly improved coordination between the teams.
Key Wins of Kenyan Police in Haiti
400 Kenyan police deployed in Haiti are leading a U.N.-ratified security mission mandated to fight heavily armed gangs that have taken over parts of the nation.
The mission was first requested by Haiti’s previous government in 2022, and of the handful of countries that have together pledged over 2,500 troops, the Kenyan contingent remains the only group to have arrived.
When the Mission touched down in June, gang leaders announced they had withdrawn to the outskirts of the city.
Some roads previously rendered impassable were reopened and the Mission, together with SWAT teams of the Haitian police easily removed the barricades.
On Wednesday, July 17, the Kenyan Police recaptured the Auorite Portuaire Nationale (APN) port, which fell to the gangs on March 6, 2024.
The port was one of the remaining entry points into the Carribean nation used by the United Nations to deliver humanitarian aid to the people, most of whom are unable to fend for themselves.
Speaking to local media on July 18, Commander Godfrey Otunge reported that the gangs resisting the takeover surrendered the port following an exchange of gunfire where the police managed to repulse the gangs who had started shooting at them. This marked the first time Kenyan officers engaged gang members in combat as they traveled from Toussaint Louverture International Airport to the Autorité Portuaire Nationale port.
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Effects of the Ongoing Conflict
Kenyan troops were forced to withdraw from the Haitian town of Ganthier in late July, marking a significant setback in one of the mission’s first major operations outside the capital.
According to a spokesperson for the Kenyan forces, as reported by the Miami Herald, the initial MRAPs supplied by the Americans lacked towers, which hindered personnel from engaging in combat or responding to attacks from within the vehicles.
By August 1, violence in Ganthier had displaced nearly 6,000 residents, according to UN data.
The ongoing conflict has led to close to 600,000 people being internally displaced, with hundreds of thousands more facing deportation back to a country grappling with severe instability.
The mission’s initial 12-month mandate is set to conclude in October.
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