(Washington) The American army indicated Tuesday that it had begun deploying precursor elements in Haiti to the sending of a multinational security force under Kenyan leadership in this country plagued by gang violence and a serious humanitarian crisis.
“US Southern Command [le Commandement sud de l’armée américaine] coordinated several flights of U.S. military aircraft transporting contracted civilian personnel, equipment and supplies to Toussaint Louverture International Airport” in Port-au-Prince, according to a statement.
“These personnel will work alongside Haitian airport officials to secure equipment and supplies that have arrived in Haiti,” the same source added.
“This mission is made possible thanks to the continued coordination and support of Haitian stakeholders who are working to keep the airport open and continue operations,” the US military further underlined.
These vanguard elements must prepare the ground for the arrival of a multinational security force led by Kenya, which had put its deployment on hold pending the entry into office of a transitional council , which was done last week.
A source within the outgoing Haitian government indicated to AFP last week that a first contingent of 200 Kenyan police officers should arrive on May 23 in Haiti.
Asked about the deployment of this force, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller indicated that no date has been made public for reasons of “operational security”, “but it is something that We strive to achieve this as soon as possible.”
The United States intends to contribute financially and in equipment to this force, but without participating with troops or police officers.
Haiti has suffered for decades from chronic security and political instability. But since the end of February, the gangs, whose violence was already ravaging entire sections of the territory, have launched coordinated attacks against strategic sites in the capital, saying they want to overthrow Ariel Henry, then prime minister.
He has officially left office and a transitional council now governs Haiti, with the task of trying to restore public order.