Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-03-02 06:37:19
Hours after Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry signed a deal with President William Ruto’s administration to send 1,000 police officers on a peacekeeping mission to the Caribbean nation, concerns were raised regarding his safe return to his homeland. This came after a gang, led by former police officer Jimmy Cherizier, seized Haiti’s main international airport and government buildings, paralyzing movement and government operations.
Speaking at a public lecture at the United States International University (USIU) on Friday, Henry addressed questions about his safety upon returning to Haiti. In response to Cherizier’s warning not to return from Kenya, Henry acknowledged Kenya’s intervention in restoring peace in Haiti. He expressed gratitude to President Ruto for accepting to intervene and emphasized the importance of international cooperation in bringing peace to the conflict-ridden country.
“We thank President William Ruto for accepting to intervene. We thank him for that and we thank Kenya for solidarity with the people of Haiti, we are grateful,” Henry stated. He stressed the need for peace in Haiti to facilitate economic development and highlighted the efforts being made to protect citizens from gang violence following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021.
“We need an election to stabilize the economy. We need a democratic government for people to go and invest in Haiti,” Henry added. Cherizier’s actions, including attacks on police stations and the killing of four officers in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, have escalated violence in the country.
The United States Embassy in Haiti reported heavy gunfire near the airport on Friday afternoon, leading to a temporary halt in travel activities. Haitian Police spokesperson Garry Desrosiers highlighted the challenges faced by the police service, which is understaffed and lacks sufficient equipment to combat the gangs effectively.
“The police need more equipment to be able to face the situation,” Desrosiers noted. As the situation in Haiti remains tense, with ongoing violence and instability, the deployment of 1,000 police officers from Kenya is seen as a crucial step towards restoring peace in the country.
Henry’s call for international cooperation and support in addressing the crisis in Haiti reflects the urgency of the situation. The citizens of Haiti are in need of elected leaders to implement policies and foster economic development in the midst of social unrest and insecurity.
As the Prime Minister prepares to return to Haiti, the challenges ahead remain daunting. With the support of President Ruto’s administration and other international partners, efforts to bring stability and peace to Haiti continue amidst the turmoil caused by gang violence and political upheaval.
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