The Bahamian Government on Tuesday welcomed Kenya’s decision to lead a multi-national force in Haiti and committed 150 people to support the effort if the United Nations authorizes the force.
The announcement from the Bahamas’ foreign ministry follows a request on Monday from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres that Haiti’s neighbours join forces with Kenya, which last week said it was willing to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti to help stem gang violence.
A man washes his face after officers of the Haitian National Police fired tear gas to clear a camp of people escaping the threat of armed gangs, in front of the US Embassy, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on 25th July, 2023. PICTURE: Rueters/Ralph Tedy Erol/File photo
“The Bahamas has committed 150 persons to support the multi-national force once authorized by the United Nations Security Council,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Bahamas’ statement echoed comments from Kenyan Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua, who described the security intervention as an opportunity to stand “with persons of African descent across the world.”
It added the Bahamas looks “forward to cooperating with hemispheric partners including the United States and Canada.”
We rely on our readers to fund Sight's work - become a financial supporter today!
For more information, head to our Subscriber's page.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday commended Kenya for “considering to serve as the lead nation” for the multinational force and expressed support for its authorisation from a UN Security Council Resolution.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Washington-based Organization of American States said the group’s general secretariat “welcomes with appreciation” Kenya’s announcement.
Haiti’s government requested international security assistance last year, attracting the UN’s support for a security force to be deployed by member states, but no country had been willing to lead such an effort until Kenya’s commitment.
Regional governments have been reluctant to support the unelected administration of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has said fair elections cannot be held with the current insecurity.
