Kenyan President William Ruto has been asked by western nations to send an interventionary police force to restore law and order in Haiti. This decision has been met with lots of raw skepticism of Kenya’s capabilities in the face of escalating violence in Haiti and its ability to bring order in a country accustomed to chaos and death. Forces led by policeman-turned outlaw ‘Barbecue’ Cherizier and his ilk, have taken over key installations and are virtually running what is perhaps the world’s first gangster republic. They have since popped open the main prison letting out even more bloodthirsty criminals to the streets and forced the Prime Minister to resign.
Foreign interference
Haiti did not get there just like that, years of French and American hegemonial interference, intentional povertisation and outright racism, have all hatched into chickens which are now coming home to roost. Since they cannot risk sending boots on the ground, particularly in an election year, the Americans have requested other nations to intervene in Haiti with Kenya taking charge. The UN itself, which led multiple failed interventions in the past, has long since lost credibility and cannot hold the moral high ground on matters Haiti. The UN Security Council then approved a non-UN force led by Kenya, an African nation which is geopolitically far removed from the goings-on in the Caribbean. President William Ruto, already facing hostile views at home over the deployment, is, thankfully, determined to go ahead.
In the absence of any semblance of governmental authority following the sudden resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, Ruto should now approach the situation with careful consideration and consultation with the various stakeholders particularly those outside Haiti.
‘Hell-on-Earth’
Before deploying, it's essential to thoroughly assess the situation in Haiti and not rely on the ‘hell-on-earth’ narrative that the media portrays. Already, an expeditionary Kenyan team has been to Haiti to carry out this specific exercise and is better able to advise President Ruto. He must also understand the root causes of the unrest, and though he has been known to despise History, this is his best bet if he is to understand the current state of lawlessness in Haiti. The country did not just find itself like this, it began long before 1803, and every so often, there has been a struggle for the heart of Haiti by extraneous forces motivated by all manner of reasons. Ruto must devise a specific approach for restoring order that does not just involve boots on the ground, but also addresses, albeit in a small way, the systemic causes of perennial poverty and despondency.
Secondly, Kenya must get firm commitments from international partners on the restoration of order in Haiti. Kenya has already signed a pact with the then Haitian premier Ariel Henry, satisfying the reciprocity requirement. The former premier came into office after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, a victim of systemic violence that has gripped the nation.
President Ruto should engage in dialogue with more like-minded nations as well as other international partners to understand their expectations regarding Haiti, the new requirements. Haiti, being one of the few countries that recognized Taiwan, may not attract the sympathies of Beijing, but that does not mean Kenya shouldn’t approach them. During the 2016 election that Moïse won, the other candidates, among them Jude Célestin, Jean-Charles Moïse, Maryse Narcisse, and Jean-Henry Céant, should be brought to the table to chart a way forward for the country. Of course, some of the candidates mentioned have been accused of links to organised crime, but for the time being, the desire is to stabilise the country and give it a functional government.
African Solutions
The AU is a major stakeholder in the Haitian intervention.
The AU has already declared the African diaspora a “sixth region” of Africa after Western Africa, Middle/Central Africa, Northern Africa, Southern Africa and Eastern (or the Horn of) Africa.
The African Diaspora needs Africa, and it is on the back of this that an African-led intervention could offer lasting solutions to Haiti’s problems. The AU must hold high-level consultations to fast-track the integration with the diaspora and a put together a team for this very purpose.
If Haiti becomes a member of the AU, then it would be our problem, fair and square. It’s necessary to help the people of Haiti, as the intervention by Africans is part of Africa’s outreach to its diaspora, offering solutions rather than adding more problems. It must be made clear that bringing an end to the current situation, is for the benefit of the Haitian people, not foreign powers. Peace and order must be restored so the natural resources of Haiti, can be exploited by Haitians and utilised for the benefit of the Haitians. Schools, roads, hospitals and other infrastructure badly needed in Haiti, can be financed from the proceeds of its natural resources.
Rules of Engagement
For the intervention to succeed, there is need for adequate planning, preparation and proper resourcing of the interventionary force. Based on the assessment and consultations, President Ruto should develop a comprehensive plan for the intervention. It should include determining the composition of the police force, logistics, rules of engagement, and, above all, an exit strategy. Prior to deployment, the police force should undergo specialised training tailored to the situation in Haiti, including cultural sensitivity training and understanding the local context. They would also receive thorough intelligence briefings on their mission objectives and responsibilities.
Once prepared, the police force would be deployed to Haiti under the leadership of experienced commanders. We have no shortage of these. Close coordination with leaders drawn from the Haitian diaspora, non-political international organisations, and other stakeholders should be maintained throughout the duration of the deployment to ensure effective cooperation and communication.
Role of local community
It's crucial for the intervention force to engage with the local community in Haiti, building trust, and gaining cooperation in tackling the gangs. Community policing principles would be emphasised to promote dialogue, address grievances, and restore confidence in law enforcement. Continuous monitoring and evaluation of the intervention would be conducted to assess its effectiveness, identify challenges, and make necessary adjustments. Regular reporting to international partners and the Kenyan government would ensure transparency and accountability.
In addition to restoring law and order, efforts would be made to provide humanitarian assistance to the population and support long-term development initiatives to address the underlying causes of instability in Haiti. Haiti has enormous problems that cannot be solved by Kenya alone. Part of that long-term development is recruiting and vetting of Haitians to be trained in law enforcement. Finally, President Ruto should also plan an exit strategy. As the situation stabilises, plans for the eventual withdrawal of the intervention force would be made in consultation with stakeholders. Emphasis would be placed on ensuring a smooth transition to local law enforcement and governance structures.
The Kenyan police force must act with great professionalism in their tour of duty in Haiti. They must not sow seeds of discord through bad behaviour or join the local militia in exploiting the people of Haiti. The intervention must be conducted with the utmost respect for human rights, adherence to international law, and a commitment to promoting peace and stability in Haiti.
Conclusion
Simply put, there are no simple solutions for the situation in Haiti. It is not the fear of failure that has the world worried, it is the meaning of failure that should get everyone concerned. The people of Haiti have suffered too long. It is time that order is restored for the people to enjoy a meaningful life.
Commentator on leadership