Gangs Take Over Haiti: Why The Kenya Led International Force Is Failing

An international police force, backed by the U.S. and led by Kenya, has faced significant challenges in its nearly two-month mission to restore order in Haiti. Deployed to combat a powerful alliance of armed gangs, the force has struggled to achieve its objectives, according to a report from an American newspaper.
The newspaper, The Hill, based in Washington, D.C., on August 18, 2024, highlighted the difficulties faced by the 400-strong police force, which has yet to make significant progress in Port-au-Prince, the capital, where gangs have taken control of large areas. The only two major confrontations so far have ended in setbacks for the multinational force.
The report also noted that the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission is underfunded and lacks the resources and personnel needed to stabilize the situation, placing additional pressure on the international community and the U.S., the mission's main sponsor, to provide more support. Georges Fauriol, a senior adviser at the U.S. Institute of Peace, remarked that the mission is progressing much slower than anticipated, likening it to a "three-legged vehicle missing a wheel."
Fauriol also pointed out that the U.S. is currently focused on the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, and with Republicans resisting additional funding for the MSS, securing more financial support has been difficult, especially during an election year.
The newspaper reported that U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), which oversees military operations in South America and surrounding regions, has been delivering equipment to support the MSS, including armored vehicles and riot gear. A spokesperson emphasized that the mission is a "long-term campaign" requiring sustained international backing.
Kenya's role in the mission is to lead and train the Haiti National Police (HNP) to dismantle the gangs. However, the report indicates that the gangs have only grown stronger, particularly in Port-au-Prince. The MSS is in need of additional resources, such as helicopters and combat vehicles, to effectively challenge the estimated 5,000 to 10,000 gang members.
Despite plans to deploy around 2,500 troops, the MSS currently only has 400, and the success of the mission hinges on securing more funding and international support. While other countries, including the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad, and Jamaica, have expressed intentions to contribute forces, their involvement is contingent on sufficient resources.
So far, the MSS has faced limited combat, with gang members largely unchallenged in their strongholds. The newspaper highlighted a July incident where Kenyan troops briefly took control of Ganthier, near the Dominican Republic border, only for gangs to retake the town after the MSS withdrew.
The acting prime minister of Haiti, Garry Conille, was also ambushed by gangs during a hospital visit in Port-au-Prince, forcing him to flee. Renata Segura, program director for Latin America and the Caribbean at the International Crisis Group, stated that while the gangs are not united, they have formed strong alliances, and defeating them will be a steep challenge, even with full funding and resources.
Segura added that the U.S. has already contributed significantly to the MSS and called on other countries, particularly in Europe, to step up their support. Haiti's situation has deteriorated since the assassination of its president in 2021, with gangs gaining power and the government struggling to maintain control.
The transitional government formed earlier this year has made little progress toward elections, and Conille recently expressed doubts about the possibility of holding elections next year, citing the persistent influence of the gangs.
The U.S. has provided over $300 million in funding and equipment for the MSS, with Kenyan troops operating from a U.S.-built base in Haiti. Canada has also pledged $86.2 million in direct support. However, Robert Fatton Jr., a Haiti expert and professor at the University of Virginia, warned that the mission would need more than just money and additional troops to succeed, emphasizing the importance of a strong Haitian government and the fight against corruption.
Fatton cautioned that further delays could lead to greater instability and disenchantment with the government. The newspaper reported that the ongoing conflict threatens to push Haiti deeper into crisis, with humanitarian aid efforts struggling to keep pace with the length of the crisis. Thousands have been killed, hundreds of thousands displaced, and millions face severe food insecurity.
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