(Le Floridien) – “Kenyan troops will not fight against gangs unless they are attacked,” declared Leslie Voltaire, the representative of Fanmi Lavalas on the Interim Presidential Council. Voltaire made it clear that the multinational force deployed in Haiti will not be directly involved in combat operations against criminal gangs.
Speaking on France 24 on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, Voltaire emphasized that the primary mission of this force is to train and support Haitian police officers. “It is the Haitians who will fight against the gangs,” Voltaire stated firmly during his appearance on the program “En tête-à-tête.”
Voltaire further clarified that Kenyan troops will only engage in combat if they come under attack from the gangs. This stipulation underscores the responsibility placed on the Haitian National Police (PNH) to lead the fight against criminal elements within the country.
Addressing concerns about the operational inefficiency of the PNH and its infiltration by criminal gangs, Voltaire assured that there are already units within the PNH prepared to engage in combat. He noted that motivating these units requires providing bonuses, encouragement, and recognition.
Voltaire also highlighted a shift in political will among current leaders, stating, “Unlike previous administrations, the current political leaders are determined to resolve the security issues.”
In response to questions about the potential failure of the Presidential Council, Voltaire dismissed such concerns. “All the nation’s vital forces are represented in this Council. We cannot fail,” he asserted confidently in his interview with Marc Perelman.
