The government of Chad has announced the deployment of 1,500 soldiers to Haiti as part of a United Nations-backed security mission aimed at curbing the escalating violence perpetrated by armed gangs in the Caribbean nation. This development follows a formal request from the UN, as outlined in a letter addressed to the Chadian Parliament by President Mahamat Déby Itno.
According to the official communication, the Chadian contingent will consist of two battalions, each comprising 750 troops, set to commence operations this month. The mission is expected to last for a duration of one year, reinforcing the international community’s commitment to restoring stability in Haiti.
An advance team of 400 personnel has already been dispatched to Haiti, marking Chad’s swift response to the UN’s call for assistance. The president emphasized the honor and responsibility that this mission represents for Chad’s defense and security forces.
The UN Security Council recently sanctioned an expansion of the multinational force, led by Kenya, increasing its troop numbers to 5,500. This upgraded initiative, known as the Gang Suppression Force, now includes expanded mandates such as the authority to arrest suspected gang members—a power not previously granted to the initial mission.
Launched in 2023, the predecessor mission, initially comprising 2,500 personnel under Kenyan leadership, faced significant challenges due to insufficient personnel and funding, which hampered its effectiveness.
Gang violence has surged in Haiti, with armed groups now controlling up to 90% of Port-au-Prince and large swathes of the country’s central regions. The security crisis reached a tragic milestone in 2021 when President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated in his residence by armed assailants.
Recent clashes have resulted in catastrophic loss of life. Local human rights organizations report that at least 30 individuals were killed in the latest attack by the Gran Grif gang in Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite, a city in central Haiti. Dozens more remain unaccounted for, underscoring the urgent need for international intervention.
