In a significant move to support international stability, Chad is preparing to send 1500 soldiers to Haiti. This deployment is part of a United Nations-backed security initiative designed to curb the escalating gang violence that has plagued the Caribbean nation.

Presidential announcement to Parliament

The decision was formalized in a letter from President Mahamat Déby Itno, which was presented to the Chadian Parliament. The President detailed that the mission will consist of two distinct battalions, each comprising 750 troops. These units are scheduled to begin their one-year deployment this month at the specific request of the United Nations.

President Mahamat Déby Itno noted that a preliminary group of 400 personnel is already on the ground in Haiti. He expressed that this international commitment reflects positively on the reputation and professionalism of the defense and security forces of Chad.

Expanding the multinational security force

Last year, the UN Security Council gave the green light to increase the capacity of the Kenya-led multinational force, often referred to as the gang suppression force, to a total of 5500 personnel. This updated mandate also grants the force the legal authority to arrest suspected gang members—a critical power that was absent in previous iterations of the mission.

While regional observers who follow Niger politics today or Central African security trends monitor these developments, the mission faces high expectations. An earlier effort launched in 2023, which was intended to have 2500 members under Kenyan leadership, struggled significantly due to a lack of both financial resources and available personnel.

The dire situation in Port-au-Prince

The necessity for international intervention is underscored by the fact that armed gangs now dominate approximately 90% of Port-au-Prince, the capital city. These criminal groups also hold sway over large portions of the country’s central territory. The security vacuum in Haiti has been particularly acute since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse at his private residence.

The human cost of this lawlessness continues to rise. Human rights organizations reported a brutal attack last month by the Gran Grif gang in the town of Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite. This assault left at least 30 people dead and dozens more missing, highlighting the urgent need for the specialized security assistance that Chad and other nations are now providing.