Silverio Omari
On Wednesday, a combined force of Kenyan and Haitian police officers successfully recaptured a key port in Port-au-Prince after a fierce gun battle with gang members who had occupied the strategic seaport since March 6, 2024.
The officers, part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti, liberated the Auorite Portuaire Nationale (APN) port, a crucial entry point for United Nations aid deliveries to the troubled Caribbean nation.
The gangs’ control of the port had severely disrupted the delivery of essential supplies, including food and medical aid, exacerbating Haiti’s humanitarian crisis. “The Kenyan contingent and the Haitian police officers managed to repulse the gangs who had started shooting at them. The officers then took over the port, which was controlled by the gangs,” said MSS Mission Commander Godfrey Otunge, as quoted by The Nation.
“Both Kenyan and Haitian agents took up positions at several points in the city as the shooting continued and managed to gain access to the port, which had been a no-go zone since March.”
This security operation followed Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille’s declaration of a state of emergency in 14 gang-overrun municipalities.
“I authorize the Haitian National Police, with the support of the Haitian Armed Forces and the MSS, to gradually deploy and launch operations in the affected areas,” Conille said, firmly stating that he would not negotiate with the criminal gangs. It remains unclear whether any Kenyan officers were injured or killed during the operation.
The development occurred just a day after another 200 Kenyan police officers left for Haiti to help quell rampant gang violence in the Caribbean nation.
Kenya is leading a force expected to total around 2,500 personnel. Other countries, mostly from Africa and the Caribbean, are also contributing to the mission, which is endorsed but not managed by the United Nations. Haiti has long been plagued by gang violence, but conditions significantly worsened at the end of February when armed groups launched coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince, aiming to overthrow then-prime minister Ariel Henry.
Dj Vnyash
