The head of the Kenya-led multi-national force tasked with curbing gang violence in Haiti says there’s no room for failure as he committed to ensuring democratic elections in the country.
Officer Godfrey Otunga spoke in a national broadcast on Monday.
He says the Kenyan forces intend to work closely with Haitian authorities and local and international partners dedicated to a new Haiti.
Otunga says the new mission aims to create security conditions conducive to holding free and fair elections.
This was the first public comment from the Kenyan forces who arrived late last month in Haiti.
Their arrival came months after powerful gangs seized control of most of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and caused the prime minister’s resignation.
Haitian police chief Normil Rameau also addressed the nation.
He says the mission is focused on reclaiming all areas from gang control, reinstating police presence in regions lacking authority, and assisting Haitians displaced by the gangs to return home.
More than half a million people have been displaced.
