A Kenyan police officer deployed in Haiti has gone missing after a violent gang ambushed a rescue mission, according to a statement released on Wednesday by the U.N.-backed multinational security mission.
The officer was part of a Kenyan team that set out on Tuesday to rescue Haitian police officers who were reportedly trapped in a ditch believed to have been deliberately dug by gangs. The mission stated that specialized search teams have been deployed to locate the missing officer.
Escalating Violence and Rising Casualties
Haitian media outlets reported that the officer may have been killed, as videos circulating on social media showed a lifeless man dressed in a Kenyan police uniform. Authorities have yet to verify the video’s authenticity.
Haiti has been grappling with increasing gang violence, which has displaced more than one million people in recent years, according to U.N. reports. Many of the displaced residents have been forced into makeshift shelters with unsanitary living conditions after their homes were destroyed by armed groups.
Kenyan-Led Mission Facing Challenges
The Kenya-led security mission, launched last year, was tasked with countering gang activities threatening to take full control of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Kenya initially pledged to deploy 1,000 officers, and as of June, 800 have arrived in the Caribbean nation.
However, the mission has been facing significant challenges. In February, another Kenyan officer was shot and killed by gangs. He was buried in Kenya last week, sparking renewed concerns about the mission’s preparedness and effectiveness. Opposition leaders in Kenya have called for better equipment and enhanced security measures for the deployed officers.
Gangs Expanding Control Over Port-au-Prince
The security situation in Haiti remains dire, with gangs reportedly controlling nearly 85% of the capital. Despite the Kenyan-led intervention, these groups have continued expanding their territory, leaving the government and security forces struggling to regain control.
The mission’s operations have also been affected by funding shortfalls. The U.S., which has been the initiative’s primary financial backer, recently froze part of its funding due to a broader foreign aid freeze introduced under the administration of former President Donald Trump. This financial setback has further strained the mission’s resources and operational capacity.
With growing insecurity in Haiti, calls for urgent international intervention are intensifying. Human rights groups and security analysts stress the need for increased manpower, advanced tactical support, and stable funding to prevent further escalation of violence.
The missing officer’s fate remains uncertain, as search operations continue. The international community closely watches how the situation unfolds, with hopes that additional security measures will be implemented to protect those fighting to restore peace in Haiti.
