US wants a return of UN Peacekeeping Mission to Haiti

Just over four months since the Kenyan contingent of police officers landed in Haiti to help combat the gang violence that erupted in the capital, Port-au-Prince, the United States, Biden’s administration is exploring ways to recall for the reinstating of a UN peacekeeping force once again for the french speaking island.

This request came in the aftermath of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s brief visit to the Caribbean island last week. Blinken proposed that the UN resume its peacekeeping efforts in Haiti.

The US State Department, which is the main source of funding for the Kenyan mission, has already notified US lawmakers of its intentions. According to a news release also from the US Secretary of State Office, information released from the visit indicates that plans are afoot to alter the nature of the Keynan operation.

This plan calls for converting the present security mission, which is currently overseen by the Kenyans, into a full-operation UN peacekeeping force. Police and military from several nations, including Bangladesh, Kenya, the Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Chad, and Jamaica, will participate in the expedition. However, Jamaica is the only nation that has deployed police officers and soldiers to the island for this operation.

The US and other nations also claimed that the soldiers were insufficient and underequipped to combat the Haitian gangs who hold 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

Secretary of State Blinken, during his visit, also suggested that the UN may intervene to assist in stabilizing the nation, which is presently dealing with extreme political instability and gang violence.

Recently, Antony Blinken stated in an address, “The mission itself needs to be renewed, and that is what we are working on right now, and we also want to ensure that we have something reliable, sustainable, and we will look at every option. So, a peacekeeping operation would be one such option,” Secretary Blinken expressed.

Kenyan President William Ruto visits Haiti to review security assistance at the Toussaint Louverture International Airport, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sept. 21, 2024. REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol

In addition to the US Secretary of State’s suggestion to reinstate a UN peacekeeping operation, Kenyan President William Ruto arrived in Haiti on Sept. 21, 2024, to assess the peacekeeping mission.

The UN is debating how best to assist resource-constrained Kenyan and Jamaican soldiers in their peacekeeping efforts since they have had difficulties controlling the gangs that are terrorizing the Caribbean nation.

The arrival of the Kenyan troops in Haiti in May 2024 has reduced the impact of gang violence on the nation. However, the troops do not have the funding to conduct the operation as planned. The United Nations is seeking assistance to prolong the operation, which might incur annual costs of US600 million dollars.

Further explanation of the call for a United Nations peacekeeping mission also highlights that a UN peacekeeping force requires approval from the UN Security Council.