The UN Security Council votes to send an international force to Haiti in an attempt to stabilize the violence-stricken Caribbean country. Haiti has requested such a force since last year.
The force is to be led by Kenya and be in place for one year. In addition to Kenya, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda have also pledged to contribute to the effort.
The resolution was voted through with 13 votes in favour. Two countries, China and Russia, abstained. The resolution also includes an embargo against handguns, something that previously only applied to gang leaders under sanctions.
According to the resolution, it is not an official UN peacekeeping force but a “multinational security force” led by Kenya.
It is still unclear how many men the force will consist of. The Kenyan government has previously offered to send 1,000 police. According to Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua, the force could be in place by January 1, 2024, if not earlier.
US President Joe Biden has promised to contribute logistics and $100 million in support to the force.
Criminal gangs are ravaging large areas in and around Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Between April and June, 1,860 people have been reported killed, injured or kidnapped. This is an increase of 14 percent compared to the first three months of the year, according to the latest statistics from the UN.