The United Nations is planning to deploy more officers to Haiti starting in April 2026 as part of a new strategy to address the increasing cases of gang violence in the country.
The officers will be deployed through an expanded Gang Suppression Force, which is expected to be strengthened in the coming months.
In a statement issued on March 16, a human rights expert at the United Nations, William O’Neill, said the situation in Haiti is critical but there is a chance to improve it in the next few months if immediate action is taken.
“We are at a point where the next few months are very important. The situation can still improve,” said O’Neill.
Under the new strategy, the United Nations Security Council is expected to increase the number of officers in the multinational force to about 5,500.
In the new strategy, the officers will be allowed to arrest suspects believed to be involved in gang violence, unlike in the past when the officers were not empowered to do so.
The officers are already in the country in preparation for the arrival of more personnel in the coming months. The officers will be in the country by September.
The mission is led by Kenya, with several countries expected to deploy more officers to the region.
Haiti has faced a number of challenges in terms of insecurity, with the country’s capital, Port-au-Prince, largely controlled by gang members.
Gang members have been accused of several crimes, including kidnappings, looting, and attacks on citizens, with the situation slowly spreading from the capital.
However, O’Neill was concerned about the number of young people joining the gangs. He stated that the young people are attracted to the lifestyle they see on the internet, where the gang members flaunt money and power.
There was also the need for action against the people supporting the gang members, including those who finance them.
Another thing discussed was the illegal firearms entering Haiti, with the United States cited as the main source of the firearms. The UN expert stated that the elimination of the firearms could weaken the gangs.
However, O’Neill stated that there was hope for the country as long as efforts are put in place to ensure security, reduce corruption, and protect human rights in the country.
