UN extends Kenya-led mission in Haiti to combat gang violence, ignores call for peacekeepers

The U.N. Security Council has unanimously extended the mandate of the Kenya-led force in Haiti to combat gang violence, ignoring Haiti's request to transition to a U.N. peacekeeping mission. This decision follows a recent call from Haiti's transitional president for discussions on the change. Currently, nearly 400 Kenyan officers are in Haiti, supported by a small number of police and soldiers from Jamaica. This is far below the 2,500 personnel promised by other countries, and funding for the mission remains inadequate. Gang violence has surged in Haiti since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, with gangs controlling up to 80% of the capital. The resolution extends the mission until October 2, 2025, urging faster deployment and additional support.