Haiti has recorded the highest form of gang violence since the go ahead by the UN security council on operation in the Caribbean country. The UN has urged urgent deployment to control the worsening situation.
Kenya was chosen to lead a multinational force against gangs. This has however not settled well with the gangs as they have increased their wrath and intensified their operations.
The Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, María Isabel Salvador has said that the approval of a vigilante group dubbed Bwa Kale since April has made the situation worse.
Reports indicate that there is possible retaliation by Gang members after their own was lynched by the vigilante group. Over 160 gang members have been killed in months.
“The security situation on the ground continues to deteriorate as growing gang violence plunges the lives of the people of Haiti into disarray and major crimes are rising sharply to new record highs.”
The possible retaliation by gangs is what’s at stake. Their hit back will mean violence and with the kind of weapons they possess, it can be unpleasing. That’s why the United Nation Security Council has called for immediate deployment.
According to the UN Executive Director on Drugs and Crime Ghadha Fathi Waly, the gangs have taken advantage of lack of adequate security to propagate violence on citizens and take over key infrastructure.
“The traffickers are taking advantage of the Haitian security sector’s limited capacities. This includes equipment, and infrastructure for border and maritime control and surveillance.”
This violence has displaced over 200,000 people. Urgent need to help the people restore peace in the country is needed. The ground officials in Haiti are asking for faster conclusion of preparation and action.
Kenya had agreed to deploy 1000 Police officers who will join other forces from different countries. This is to make a multinational force to fight the gangs.
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