- Protesters in Haiti attempted to stop Kenyan police officers from leaving the country
- Roads were barricaded in several areas, disrupting the planned movement of security teams
- Kenya is winding down its Multinational Security Support mission after months of deployment
- A new UN-backed force led by Chad is taking over security operations in Haiti
- Leadership of the mission is shifting to South Africa’s Jack Christofides
Tension has emerged in parts of Haiti as civilians staged protests against the withdrawal of Kenyan police officers who had been deployed under the Multinational Security Support mission. The officers are part of the final group preparing to leave the country after months of security operations. Their presence had been central to efforts aimed at restoring order in areas affected by armed violence. However, their planned exit has now sparked mixed reactions on the ground.
Reports indicate that residents blocked key roads in areas such as St. Marks and Pont Sonde in an attempt to disrupt the movement of security personnel. The situation escalated as protesters barricaded major routes, making it difficult for vehicles to pass. Authorities were forced to respond by deploying helicopters to evacuate officers from Petite Rivière and nearby locations. The scenes highlighted growing anxiety among sections of the local population.
The Kenyan-led MSS mission, which had been under the command of Godfrey Otunge, is now entering its final phase. The operation is being replaced by a newly approved United Nations-backed security structure. This marks a significant shift in international efforts to stabilise Haiti’s security situation.
The incoming operation will be known as the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), following approval by the United Nations Security Council in October 2025. The new mission will be led by forces from Chad, who have already begun arriving in the country. The first group of Chadian police officers landed in early April to start the transition process. The handover is expected to continue in phases as coordination between the two missions progresses.
As part of the transition, leadership of the broader peace support operation is also changing hands. South African official Jack Christofides has been appointed as the new Special Representative to oversee the mission. He is expected to take over from Godfrey Otunge, who led the Kenyan deployment during its active phase.
Christofides will be responsible for coordinating the new security arrangement as the GSF assumes full operational control. His role will involve managing cooperation between international partners and local authorities. The shift in leadership signals a new direction in the international response to Haiti’s ongoing security challenges. Officials hope the change will strengthen coordination and improve stability efforts.
Despite the structured transition, the protests reflect deep concerns among some residents about what comes next. Many civilians have expressed worry about the departure of Kenyan officers, who were visible in several stabilisation operations. Their presence had become a familiar part of daily security efforts in affected regions.
The demonstrations underline the uncertainty surrounding the handover to the new force. While international authorities continue to push for a smooth transition, the reaction on the ground shows that trust and stability remain fragile. As Haiti moves into a new phase of security support, attention now turns to whether the incoming mission will maintain the progress made so far.
