Kenya welcomes new UN-backed Gang Suppression Force in Haiti

Kenya has welcomed the transition of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti into a much more lethal and beefed-up Gang Suppression Force (GSF).

"The unanimous adoption of Resolution 2793 (2025) last night by the UN Security Council is a welcome development in the pursuit of a more peaceful and secure Haiti," Foreign Affairs PS Sing'oei Korir said on Wednesday.

The new force supported by both a newly created UN Support Office and the Organisation of American States (OAS) will run for an initial 12 months, comprising 5,500 police and military officials.

"The new Mission also has a robust mandate, including conducting intelligence-led counter-gang operations to neutralise, isolate, and deter gangs. Having led the MSS and cognizant of the challenges the Mission faced as recently articulated by President William Ruto at the 80th UNGA, and having co-sponsored Resolution 2798 in her capacity as a member of the Standing Group of Partners, Kenya certainly welcomes the transition of the MSS to the GSF," the PS added.

The new force came into being on Tuesday following a UNSC vote on the adoption of Resolution 2793 by 12 members: Algeria, Denmark, France, Greece, Guyana, Panama, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Somalia, United Kingdom and the United States in favour.

None of the members objected to the move; instead, there were three abstentions by China, Pakistan and Russia.

The cost of personnel will be borne by voluntary contributions, and participating troops will be expected to operate in strict compliance with international law, including international human rights law, as applicable, and the UN's Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP), and in full respect of the sovereignty, territorial integrity, political independence and unity of Haiti.

Haiti is currently characterised by kidnappings, sexual violence against women and girls, trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, narcotics, arms and ammunition, homicides, and the recruitment and use of children by criminal networks.

As such, the new force is expected to conduct either independently or, as appropriate, together and in cooperation with the Haitian National Police (HNP) and Haitian armed forces; intelligence-led targeted, counter-gang operations to neutralise, isolate, and deter gangs that continue to threaten the civilian population, abuse human rights and undermine Haitian institutions.

Moreover, it will provide security for critical infrastructure sites and transit locations such as the airport, ports, maritime assets, schools, safe houses, orphanages, hospitals, electricity grids, detention centres and key intersections, together and in coordination with the HNP and the local armed forces.

It will also complement, enhance and support the operational capacities of the HNP and the Haitian armed forces, including building its capacity through the planning and conduct of joint security support operations.

It will at the sametime support the HNP, the Haitian armed forces and national institutions to ensure security conditions conducive to holding free and fair elections, and contribute to the creation of a secure environment for unhindered, timely and safe access to humanitarian aid for the population receiving assistance, as well as the security conditions conducive to supporting Haiti and other actors' complementary efforts to facilitate the safe exit of those willing to voluntarily leave gangs.

The force will also assist the police and armed forces in combating illicit trafficking and diversion of arms and related materiel, including to seize and collect, record and dispose of illicit arms, ammunition, and other materiel and so forth.

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