Kenyan Officer Missing in Haiti After Gang Attack During Rescue Mission

A Kenyan officer is missing in Haiti after gangs attacked a rescue mission. Local reports suggest the officer may have been killed. This follows a wave of violence that has left over one million homeless in Haiti and raises concerns about the Kenya-led security mission’s effectiveness amid mounting challenges.

A Kenyan police officer serving in Haiti has reportedly gone missing following a brutal gang attack on a rescue mission. This mission, supported by a U.N.-backed multinational security initiative, was aimed at saving Haitian police who had become stranded due to a ditch suspected to be intentionally created by gangs. In response, specialized teams have been organized to locate the missing officer.

Local Haitian news outlets have alleged that the officer may have been killed, sharing distressing footage of an individual wearing a Kenyan uniform. The escalating violence from gangs has left over one million people without homes in Haiti, as the United Nations reports that many are now residing in inadequate and unsanitary conditions after gang attacks destroyed their homes.

The initiative led by Kenya, initiated last year, aims to combat the gangs that are attempting to dominate Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Kenya had committed to dispatching 1,000 officers, and to date, approximately 800 have been sent. Just last week, another Kenyan officer who was fatally shot by gangs in Haiti was buried in Kenya, prompting calls from opposition leaders in East Africa for enhanced support and equipment for those deployed.

The mission faces significant challenges, including insufficient personnel as gangs seize an increasing amount of territory, now controlling 85% of Port-au-Prince. Financial support for the operation has also been hindered after the United States, its primary supporter, froze some funding in connection with a broader halt on foreign aid initiatives overseen by former President Donald Trump.

In summary, a Kenyan officer is unaccounted for after an attack by gangs in Haiti during a rescue operation. The situation in Haiti remains dire, with rampant gang violence displacing over one million individuals. The Kenya-led initiative faces critical challenges in personnel and funding, prompting urgent calls for better support from political leaders.

Original Source: www.newsday.com