The Haitian government has enlisted private military contractors to work alongside Kenyan police in combating the gangs that have been destabilising the Caribbean country.
According to The New York Times, Haitian authorities signed a deal with US citizen Erik Prince, a controversial private military contractor and vocal supporter of President Donald Trump, to lead lethal operations against the combat-ready gangs that have terrorised communities and are threatening to overrun the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Haitian and American government officials confirmed that the Haitian government signed a contract with the founder of Blackwater Worldwide to take on the gangs that have been maiming civilians and seizing control of vast areas of territory.
The private contractor is expected to deploy up to 150 mercenaries to Haiti to reinforce ongoing efforts against the gangs destabilising the country.
This comes as the UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission, led by Kenyan police officers, continues coordinated operations aimed at restoring order.
The additional private forces will complement the efforts by Kenyan officers as Haiti works to reclaim control from gang networks threatening national stability. However, it was not immediately clear whether they would be sanctioned to work in close coordination with the MSS.
Meanwhile, concerns are mounting in the Caribbean nation after Haitian authorities, including Kenyan police officers deployed under the Multinational Security Support Mission, began using drones to target gang strongholds in Port-au-Prince, raising questions about the risks and legality of the tactic.
Haitian Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé confirmed the launch of the controversial drone campaign aimed at dismantling the gangs that have taken over large parts of the capital, which began in March.
The developments come at a time when the Haiti Unfinished Liberation of Dessalines (HULOD) has penned a scathing letter to President William Ruto, urging him to withdraw Kenya's police force from the Caribbean nation.
In the letter, the group, terming itself the descendants of Haiti, termed the President’s decision to send Kenyan police officers to Haiti as not only ill-advised but also a form of neocolonialism.
The group, led by its President Daniel Alexis, cited several other declarations of the unlawfulness of the troop deployment, including court orders barring it.
Alexis also referenced the strong opposition to the move by former presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot. Emphasising that Haiti was not open to foreign powers and control, the letter brought up Emperor Jean-Jacques Dessalines.
