The unrest in Haiti

Members belonging to the gang coalition "G9", archive image. Odelyn Joseph / AP 

 

The unrest in Haiti 

Clear: International aid to Haiti - led by Kenya  

 

The UN Security Council has voted to send a "multinational" force to severely violent Haiti, several media reports. Kenya has offered to send 1,000 police and the country will lead the effort.  

 

Monday's vote was held almost a year after Prime Minister Ariel Henry asked for international help to tackle the criminal gangs, which have taken control of large parts of the capital Port-au-Prince. According to NBC, the police are undersized. 

 

China and Russia abstained, while all others voted in favor of the resolution on an international force.  

Image from Port-au-Prince in September. Odelyn Joseph / AP  

 

Kenya's role worries: 'Notorious for excessive violence' 

 

Human rights groups express concern that Kenya will lead the international aid effort in Haiti, CNN reports. This when it is considered that the country has a history of violating human rights. 

 

Examples include how demonstrations critical of the government in the country have been met with violence to the extent that several civilians have been killed.  

 

"The Kenyan police are notorious for their excessive use of force," writes the Kenya National Civil Society Center in a statement.  

 

Gang criminals control large parts of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, and the country has long asked for international help. The UN voted on Monday to send a multinational force. 

 

Haiti map