The 400 Kenyan police officers deployed in Haiti arrived in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday June 25. This is the first contingent mobilized as part of an international mission, the objective of which is to restore security in Haiti and particularly in the capital, prey to gang violence.
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A first contingent of police officers from Kenya arrived Tuesday June 25 in Port-au-Prince aboard a Kenya Airways plane, reports our correspondent on site, Marie-André Bélange. They got off the plane in fatigues, helmets on their heads and weapons slung over their shoulders and a Kenyan flag. They were welcomed by the Minister of Justice and Public Security.
The reactions in Haiti multiplied on social networks, videos of the police on the tarmac of Toussaint Louverture airport circulated in just a few minutes after their arrival.
The arrival of Kenyan police officers from the multinational security force “ will bring much-needed relief to Haitians », judges the American president Joe Biden in a press release (to consult here, in English). He says to himself “ very grateful to all the countries who have pledged their support in the form of personnel and financial means to this mission “, and recalls that the United States, failing to send police or soldiers, is the main contributor, with ” more than 300 million dollars » in funds and « up to $60 million in equipment. »
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A relief for the Haitian population
It’s the end of a long wait. A relief for Haitians who can no longer bear the situation of insecurity that reigns in the country, particularly in the Haitian capital almost completely controlled by gangs. Haitians expect a lot from this mission which should help fight armed gangs. They hope they can return to their normal lives soon.
Until then, a press conference of the Haitian government is planned in the official residence of the Prime Minister, Garry Conille.
The task of the security mission in Haiti promises to be daunting. Haiti has suffered from chronic political instability for decades and faces a resurgence of gang violence, which controls 80% of the capital Port-au-Prince, coupled with a humanitarian crisis. The situation suddenly worsened at the end of February when armed groups launched coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince to overthrow the then Prime Minister, Ariel Henry.
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