Jeffsky Poincy, a Haitian Policy Specialist, expressed concern on Tuesday about the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which is led by Kenyan police officers.
Poincy, who worked as a Public Investment Analyst in the Ministry of Youth and an Economic Development Advisor to Haiti’s Minister for the Ministry of Tourism, claimed that the mission was riddled with undisclosed nitigrities that failed to gain public trust.
He explained that there was ambiguity about the mission’s objectives and operational countries.
He revealed that the Presidential Security Council and local law enforcement lacked sufficient information about the mission.
“Although Haitians expect a muscular intervention to directly address gang violence, according to the memorandum signed by the Haitian and Kenyan authorities, the latter envisions the MSS mission playing a more passive role, focusing on basic infrastructure security,” he stated.
In addition, the official expressed concern about the disparity between Kenyan and Haitian police forces.
He noticed that foreigners were given priority over the Haitian Police Service.
He clarified that this was information about pay, benefits, and evacuation in case the mission did not go as planned.
“MSS Mission officers will benefit from guaranteeing medical evacuation corridors to the Dominican Republic in the event of harm, in stark contrast to Haitian officers, who have no such assurances despite facing greater risks in the fight against criminal gangs,” he lamented.
Poincy also stated that Haitian officers were only paid Ksh26,500 per month, compared to a Kenyan officer’s Ksh199,000, exclusive of allowances.
The official emphasized that this difference would further undermine the morale of the Haitian officers who will be left to provide security once the mission is completed.
Another issue raised by the official was a lack of clear accountability mechanisms in case Kenyan police officers violated human rights during the mission.
He noted that civil rights groups had expressed concern about this.
“The Kenyan forces leading the mission have a documented history of human rights abuses,” he added.
To address the aforementioned challenges, Poincy proposed that investments be directed to Haitian institutions for long-term benefits.
They should also establish accountability mechanisms, disrupt the flow of weapons and illegal goods that fuel gang activity, and weaken the links between gangs and politicians.
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