Kenyan Officer Fatally Shot in Haiti Amid Escalating Gang Violence

A Kenyan police officer was killed in Haiti during a gang ambush as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addresses the security crisis in the region. The ambush highlights the escalating violence and gang control affecting Haiti, prompting international concern and assistance efforts.

A Kenyan police officer, Bénédict Kabiru, has been killed in Haiti following an ambush by gang members. This incident occurred while he was part of the international force working to combat gang-related violence in the region. The officer was initially reported missing after the assault on Tuesday involving two mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles in Pont-Sondé, situated in the Artibonite region, as confirmed by the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS).

The Haitian Presidential Transitional Council acknowledged Kabiru’s sacrifice, stating, “This valiant police officer, engaged alongside Haitian forces to fight insecurity, made the ultimate sacrifice for a better future for our country. His bravery and commitment will never be forgotten.” Following the ambush, a search and rescue operation was conducted by MSS and the Haitian National Police to locate the officer.

The ambush occurred during a recovery mission when the vehicles were dispatched to retrieve an armored police vehicle that had become immobilized. It was reported that the issues faced by the MRAP vehicles may have been exacerbated by a ditch potentially dug by gangs. Tragically, while officers attempted repairs, they were attacked by gang members.

The death of Officer Kabiru is not an isolated incident; last month, another member of the Kenyan contingent was also killed in the same Artibonite region. The MSS operation has been financially supported significantly by the United States, as the security crisis continues to escalate in Haiti, leading to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to the Caribbean to address the situation.

Rubio’s itinerary includes a meeting with Fritz Jean, the president of Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council, aimed at enhancing regional cooperation to tackle the current challenges. Estimates suggest more than 80% of Port-au-Prince is under gang control, with gangs increasingly invading rural regions, including the crucial Artibonite area for agriculture.

Violence has surged, as highlighted by a recent United Nations report estimating that 70 individuals, including women and children, were killed by the Gran Grif gang in the same region as the officer’s death. This violence has resulted in unprecedented levels of displacement, impacting humanitarian conditions severely. Over 23,000 individuals were displaced within just one week in March alone.

The ongoing crisis has severely disrupted supply lines nationwide, with current estimates indicating that nearly 5.5 million people are experiencing hunger, highlighting one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally.

The tragic killing of Kenyan officer Bénédict Kabiru underscores the escalating violence in Haiti, exacerbated by gang control over significant portions of the country. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is addressing this critical security crisis during his Caribbean visit, seeking to reinforce regional collaboration. The humanitarian impact is profound, with widespread displacement and food insecurity affecting millions, necessitating urgent global attention and intervention.

Original Source: www.news8000.com