PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC – Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé is using the observance of Easter to send a message of renewal and hope to the people of Haiti as the latest contingent of the Gang Repression Force (GSF) arrived here to improve the security situation in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
In his message on Sunday, Prime Minister Fils-Aimé said, “In the trying times our nation is facing, may this Holy Day inspire us to draw from the heart of our values of solidarity and resilience the strength needed to move forward, united and determined.
“May light triumph over darkness, and may the warmth of family togetherness bring peace and comfort to all,” he said, extending Easter greetings to the nation.
El Salvador is the latest country to send members to bolster the FRG, following the arrival on April 1 of a pre-deployment team of approximately 50 military engineering specialists to prepare the facilities and infrastructure for the arrival of Chadian forces.
Last Saturday, a contingent of 40 men from El Salvador arrived at Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince to join the GSF and reinforce Salvadoran presence in the multinational force, which is expected to reach 1,500 troops.
The GSF works in close cooperation with the Haitian Government, the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H), and in consultation with BINUH, the UN Country Team, the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (BANUH) and the Organization of American States (OAS).
Between April and October this year, 5,500 uniformed personnel will be deployed to Haiti from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
The GSF’s mission is clear: to conduct targeted, intelligence-based offensive operations against armed gangs, secure critical infrastructure and major road networks, and protect civilians, in full respect of human rights and the rule of law.
Haiti has been under attack from criminal gangs ever since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise on July 7, 2021, with the United Nations estimating that thousands of people, including women and children, have been killed during various attacks by the gangs.
The UN Security Council authorized the deployment of the GSF to replace the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.
Haiti is now preparing to hold elections later this year.
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