HAITI URGES SWIFT DEPLOYMENT OF GANG SUPPRESSION FORCE AS KILLINGS RISE
Read Time:1 Minute, 41 Second
By: Muftau Fatimo
Haiti has called for the full deployment of the United Nations Security Council-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) to assist local authorities in tackling armed gangs and restoring security across the Caribbean nation.
Haiti’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Pierre Ericq Pierre, made the appeal during an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council convened to deliberate on the worsening security situation in the country.
Pierre condemned the recent massacre and hostage-taking in Kenscoff, describing the incidents as evidence of the armed gangs’ “new capacity for violence and terror.”
He, however, assured the international community that Haiti’s security forces remained fully mobilised and on maximum alert to protect civilians, reclaim territory controlled by gangs and restore state authority.
The Haitian diplomat urged the international community to accelerate the deployment of the multinational anti-gang force to its planned strength of 5,500 personnel.
He welcomed commitments from Chad, Mongolia and Côte d’Ivoire to contribute personnel to the mission, adding that discussions were also ongoing with Jamaica, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh over their possible participation.
Pierre further appealed for international assistance to strengthen the training of new Haitian military personnel and called for stricter enforcement of the UN Security Council’s arms embargo to prevent the continued flow of weapons and ammunition to armed groups.
The call came amid a fresh escalation of violence in Kenscoff, located near Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. At least 47 people were reportedly killed, 22 injured and more than 52 kidnapped by gangs in the area during the week.
According to the latest report by the UN Integrated Office in Haiti, between April 1 and June 30, gang-related violence claimed the lives of at least 1,408 people and left another 656 injured, while 326 people were subjected to sexual violence.
The worsening crisis has heightened concerns over Haiti’s security situation, with authorities and international partners facing growing pressure to strengthen efforts aimed at dismantling armed gangs and restoring stability.
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