Haiti remains mired in a prolonged battle against armed gangs, with Prime Minister Garry Conille casting a stark warning that the conflict is far from over.
The Caribbean nation, ravaged by violence, faces challenges not only from the gangs controlling key areas, including its capital, but also from a mission led by Kenya that is struggling to gain the necessary resources and momentum.
Prime Minister Conille, addressing delegates at the United Nations General Assembly, highlighted the urgency of the situation. He emphasised that despite Kenya’s leadership in the fight, Haiti's war against gangs is nowhere near being won.
"We are not close to victory, and without external support, we may never reach that point," he declared. His message was clear: the Haitian people are holding onto hope, but results are painfully slow to materialise.
Why it matters: Kenya has staked its international reputation on the contentious mission, and the lack of funding is threatening to derail it. Success in this mission could give Kenya immense political milage globally, but failure, could equally damage the public image of the country.
Dig deeper: As the gangs ramp up their attacks on critical infrastructure, particularly the capital’s main port, the repercussions are dire. This port serves as a vital entry point for goods and financial aid, and with it under siege, Haiti’s already fragile economy teeters on the edge. Ships are being targeted, with shots fired at vessels attempting to dock, and kidnappings of foreign crew members are on the rise.
The Kenya-led mission, initially pitched by the United States as a way to address the security crisis, now faces calls for restructuring. Washington has proposed that the mission, currently operating on voluntary contributions, be converted into a fully-fledged United Nations peace operation. This shift would ensure a more reliable funding stream, a move seen as crucial for sustaining the effort.
"The transformation into a UN peace operation would lock in essential and sustainable financing," stated Brian A. Nichols, a senior US diplomat.
Despite promises of support, the mission has struggled to secure adequate financial backing. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres lamented the world’s lack of urgency when it comes to aiding Haiti. Comparing the situation to the swift financial mobilisation seen when large banks are at risk, Guterres expressed frustration that the same urgency is not applied to humanitarian crises like Haiti's.
"We only need a few hundred million dollars, yet the world seems reluctant to act," he noted.
Kenya, leading the mission, has deployed only a fraction of the promised troops. With over 3,100 troops pledged from around 10 countries, fewer than 400 have been deployed. The UN mandate for the mission is set to expire at the end of September, and pressure is mounting as the Security Council prepares to vote on whether to extend it.
The United States, as the largest financial backer of the mission, continues to push for stronger international involvement. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced sanctions against key figures involved in Haiti’s human rights abuses, including former deputy Prophane Victor and gang leader Luckson Elan. The US has also pledged an additional $160 million in aid, but insists that other nations must step up as well.
The crisis in Haiti is not just one of violence. The country is also grappling with a humanitarian disaster. According to UN estimates, over 700,000 people are now displaced within the country, a figure that has nearly doubled in just six months. Meanwhile, food insecurity continues to worsen, with around half the population facing hunger.
Beyond security concerns, the Haitian government is tasked with organising its first elections since 2016. With political instability and gang violence threatening the legitimacy of the process, Prime Minister Conille remains cautiously optimistic. The government has committed Ksh 70 million towards holding a constitutional referendum in February and elections in November 2025. "We are confident that elections can happen, but only if the mission receives the full support it needs," Conille stressed.
