Kenyan, Haitian forces recapture key Port-au-Prince Port from gangs

A contingent of Kenyan and Haitian police officers successfully recaptured a key Port-au-Prince port on Wednesday after a fierce gun battle with gang members who had occupied the strategic seaport since March 6, 2024.

Drawn from the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti, the officers successfully liberated the Auorite Portuaire Nationale (APN) port, a crucial entry point for United Nations aid deliveries to the gang-ridden Caribbean nation.

The gangs' takeover of the port had hindered the delivery of essential supplies, including food and medical aid, worsening the humanitarian crisis in Haiti.

This was the first time Kenyan police officers engaged the gang members in combat following the deployment of the first group of 200 officers to Port-au-Prince in late June.

"The Kenyan contingent and the Haitian police officers managed to repulse the gangs who had started shooting at them. The officers then took over the port, which was controlled by the gangs," MSS Mission Commander Godfrey Otunge is quoted as saying by The Nation.

"Both Kenyan and Haitian agents took up positions at several points in the city as the shooting continued and managed to gain access to the port, which has been a no-go zone since March."

The security operation was preceded by Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille declaring a state of emergency in 14 gang-overrun municipalities.

"I authorise the Haitian National Police, with the support of the Haitian Armed Forces and the MS, to gradually deploy and launch operations in the affected areas," Conille said further adamantly vowing not to negotiate with the criminal gangs.

It remains unclear whether any Kenyan officers were injured or killed during the operation.

The development came just a day after another 200 Kenyan police officers left for Haiti to try and quell rampant gang violence in the Caribbean nation.

Kenya is leading a force expected to number a total of some 2,500 personnel.

Other countries, mostly in Africa and the Caribbean, are also contributing to the mission, which is blessed but not managed by the United Nations.

Haiti has long been rocked by gang violence, but conditions sharply worsened at the end of February when armed groups launched coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince, saying they wanted to overthrow then-prime minister Ariel Henry.