A Kenyan police officer went missing in Haiti following a gang attack on a rescue mission. Efforts are underway to locate the officer, while local media suggest possible fatality. The Kenya-led force struggles amid a severe gang crisis, lack of personnel, and funding challenges.
A Kenyan police officer deployed in Haiti has gone missing following a violent assault by gangs targeting a rescue mission. This information was confirmed by a U.N.-backed multinational security mission that reported the incident occurred when Kenyan officers attempted to rescue Haitian police trapped in a ditch, purportedly excavated by gang members. The mission has since dispatched specialized teams to locate the missing officer.
Local media outlets in Haiti have circulated reports suggesting that the officer may have been killed, with video footage featuring a deceased individual in Kenyan police attire appearing on social media platforms. The level of gang violence in Haiti has reached alarming proportions, displacing over one million individuals and forcing many to seek refuge in makeshift, unsanitary conditions after armed groups have destroyed their homes.
The Kenya-led security initiative, launched the previous year, was assigned the critical task of combating gangs that threaten to dominate Haiti’s capital. Kenya committed to sending 1,000 officers, of which 800 have been deployed since June. Just last week, another Kenyan officer who was slain by gangs in February was interred in Kenya, prompting opposition leaders to advocate for enhanced equipment for mission participants.
The mission faces significant challenges, including personnel shortages, as gangs control 85% of Port-au-Prince and continue to expand their territory. Additionally, the operation’s funding has encountered complications following the U.S. government’s freeze on financial support, a move stemming from then-President Donald Trump’s extensive freeze on foreign aid.
The situation surrounding the missing Kenyan officer in Haiti underscores the escalating violence posed by gangs in the region. The Kenya-led force, facing personnel shortages and dwindling financial support, remains dedicated to combating the rampant gang activity that has displaced millions. This incident highlights urgent concerns for the safety and equipment of support personnel engaged in multinational security operations.
Original Source: www.wral.com
