The Bahamas commits to send150 people to help Kenya in Haiti

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

#TheBahamas, August 4, 2023 – The Bahamian Government is standing by Kenya which is considering to lead a multinational force in Haiti, sending 1000 police officers to be a part of that force as announced.  For this, The Bahamas is committed to send 150 people to support the cause.

This comes as the humanitarian crisis affecting the republic escalates.  They are waiting on authorization from the United Nations Security Council to make the next move, sending the 150 personnel to Haiti.

“We now urge the passing of a UN Security Council Resolution in support of this force,” The Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The Bahamas’ decision comes following a request made by Antonio Guterres, U.N. Secretary General on Monday July 31st, 2023, for Haiti’s neighbors to join Kenya in its decision to help the republic, standing “with persons of African descent across the world,” as expressed by Alfred Mutua, Kenyan Foreign Minister.

Additionally, in its statement, The Bahamas highlighted that it was happy to work with Kenya, reiterating the goal to stand with people of “African descent,” including those in the Caribbean,” as well as other countries in the hemisphere.

“We also look forward to cooperating with hemispheric partners including the United States and Canada,” Nassau stated, further pointing out that The Bahamas will continue to support the CARICOM led Eminent Persons Group, which includes Perry Christie, former Bahamas prime minister and his colleagues Dr. Kenny Anthony of St Lucia, and Bruce Golding of Jamaica, and the Organization of American States’ Haiti Working Group chaired by Trinidad and Tobago.

Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State on Tuesday, August 1st, 2023, commended Kenya for “considering to serve as the lead nation” for the multinational force and expressed support for its authorization from a UN Security Council Resolution.

These efforts are crucial to restoring Haiti to a properly functioning Caribbean Island like its neighboring islands. This was put forth in The Bahamas’ statement which said, “These regional and Diasporic approaches to addressing insecurity caused by gang violence are critical to creating a safe space to foster political consensus and to restore democratic order.”

Haiti is now getting the help it deserves following last month’s appeal by Guterres to the UN Security Council and major potential contributing countries, to quickly act towards the deployment of multinational forces to the country. Also, this comes after Dr. Ariel Henry, Haiti’s Prime Minister appealed to the UN for the “the immediate deployment of a specialized armed force, in sufficient quantity,” to combat worsening gang activity.