Surrender! Kenyan police tell Haiti gangs ahead of clearance operation

Kenya police officers patrol the streets of Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince

 The Kenyan-led multinational Mission to Haiti (MSS) has called on gangs in the country to surrender to authorities.

In an update on the mission, the team said that following receipt of additional vehicles and other equipment, they will be conducting clearance operations in Delmas, Bel-Air, Solino, and their environs to weed out gangs.

The operation will be done in collaboration with the Haiti National Police (HNP) in a bid to have these areas return to normalcy.

According to the multinational Mission, the operation will be conducted from all fronts including air, sea and land.

“Last week, MSS received additional vehicles and equipment from the US Government, thus enhancing their joint operations with their Haitian counterparts.

“The pacification operations will be conducted on sea, land, and air by clearing roads and streets to allow normal flow of people and vehicular movement. Meanwhile, MSS is calling upon gang members to down their weapons and surrender to the government,” the MSS said.

The Kenya police-led operation further called on all stakeholders to continue their support to help the Caribbean country stabilise.

It reaffirmed its commitment to bring lasting peace to Haiti,

“MSS further calls upon the Haitian people, authorities, and stakeholders to continue supporting MSS to re-establish security and improve conditions to hold free and fair elections.

“MSS remains steadfast and fully committed to its mandate as outlined in UNSC Resolution 2699 by working with the HNP to ensure a safe and secure Haiti.”

The team has over the last few weeks registered wins, including taking over some of the country's critical infrastructure.

by BRIAN ORUTA