A Kenyan officer is missing in Haiti following a gang attack on a rescue mission. Local media speculate he may have been killed as gang violence continues to displace many in the country. The Kenya-led force faces challenges, including personnel shortages and funding issues, as gangs dominate the capital.
A Kenyan police officer deployed in Haiti has gone missing following a violent gang attack on a rescue mission aimed at aiding Haitian police. According to a statement from a U.N.-backed multinational security mission, the incident occurred while the officers were on their way to assist Haitian counterparts trapped in a ditch likely created by gangs. Following the attack, specialized teams have been dispatched to locate the officer.
Reports from local media suggest that the missing officer may have been killed, with disturbing videos circulating on social media featuring an individual in a Kenyan uniform. Haiti has been plagued by escalating gang violence, displacing over one million individuals, many of whom now live in makeshift, unsanitary shelters as gunmen continue to destroy homes.
Launched last year, the Kenya-led force is dedicated to combating gangs that threaten to control Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Although Kenya pledged to send 1,000 officers, only 800 have been deployed so far. The situation remains dire, as gang violence persists, particularly after the shooting death of another Kenyan officer in February, whose funeral occurred last week in Kenya. Local opposition leaders have raised concerns regarding the necessity for better equipment for the mission’s personnel.
The multinational force has encountered challenges, including a shortage of personnel as gangs dominate approximately 85% of the capital. Compounding these issues, recent funding cuts from the United States, its primary financial supporter, have exacerbated the mission’s difficulties due to broader reductions in foreign assistance by the previous administration.
In summary, a Kenyan police officer has gone missing in Haiti after a violent gang attack during a rescue mission. Gang violence continues to displace millions in Haiti, with a Kenya-led security force struggling against heavily armed gangs controlling the capital. Funding challenges and calls for better equipment highlight the difficulties faced by the mission. The situation demands urgent attention as the humanitarian crisis worsens.
Original Source: www.newsday.com
