The administration of United States President Joe Biden has urgently requested the deployment of a Kenyan-led security force to Haiti following the shooting of three missionaries associated with a US organization in the violence-ridden Caribbean nation. The appeal came after Missions in Haiti Inc announced that their missionaries were killed by armed individuals in Port-au-Prince. President Biden discussed the deployment with Kenyan President William Ruto during his recent visit to Washington, DC, and pledged to support the rapid deployment of the force to address the deteriorating security situation in Haiti. The National Security Council expressed condolences to the families of the slain missionaries and emphasized the urgency of the situation.
Missouri State Representative Ben Baker identified his daughter, Natalie Lloyd, and son-in-law, Davy Lloyd, as two of the individuals killed in the attack. Davy Lloyd was the son of the founders of Missions in Haiti Inc, David and Alicia Lloyd. The third victim’s identity has not yet been disclosed. The United Nations and other humanitarian organizations have been urging for increased support for Haiti’s citizens due to the ongoing violence and political instability following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. Gang attacks on various institutions in Haiti, including police stations and prisons, have led to widespread unrest, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and claiming numerous lives. Questions remain about the effectiveness and scope of the impending Kenyan-led foreign forces’ deployment.
Kenya has committed to sending 1,000 police officers to the UN-backed mission in Haiti, which is predominantly funded by the US and is aimed at combating gang activity. The deployment is anticipated to reach a total of 2,500 personnel in the future, but the exact timeline for initiation remains uncertain. Reports suggest that the deployment may have been delayed despite initial plans to launch it during President Ruto’s US visit. Concerns have also been raised regarding the mission’s mandate and whether it will involve offensive actions against gangs or primarily focus on infrastructure protection. Past foreign interventions in Haiti, including a UN peacekeeping mission, have been marred by controversy, including allegations of sexual abuse and the introduction of a cholera outbreak.
During a news conference at the White House, President Ruto expressed Kenya’s belief in the collective responsibility of nations to ensure peace and security globally, including in Haiti. He assured that the deployment of Kenyan forces to Haiti would help combat gang violence and restore stability. However, skepticism persists among Haitians regarding external interventions following previous failures to address underlying issues and bring lasting peace to the country. The looming deployment of foreign forces raises questions about the effectiveness, scope, and potential consequences of their involvement in Haiti’s security situation. The urgency of the security crisis in Haiti has prompted international cooperation to address the violence and instability plaguing the nation.
