Latest news with #Kenyan-led
The Star
4 days ago
- The Star
Exclusive-US Air Force denies early retirement for key group of transgender servicemembers
FILE PHOTO: Personnel in military garb is seen near a U.S. force aircraft after arriving with contractors to build a base for a Kenyan-led international security force aimed at countering gang violence, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti May 11, 2024. REUTERS/Pedro Anza/File Photo
02-08-2025
- Politics
Haiti to send 400 police officers to Brazil for training as gangs seize more territory
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti -- Haiti's government said Monday it plans to send 400 police officers to Brazil next month for training as gang violence overwhelms the troubled Caribbean country. Currently, Haiti only has about 10,000 police officers and 1,300 soldiers protecting a country of nearly 12 million people, said Fritz Alphonse Jean, leader of the transitional presidential council. A total of 700 Haitian police officers and soldiers will be trained by foreign countries in upcoming months and will then join a Kenyan-led, U.N.-backed mission in its fight against gangs. 'Haiti is weak, and we need special training,' Jean said during a rare press conference held for international media. Last week, 150 Haitian soldiers were deployed to Mexico for training as gangs that control up to 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, encroach on more territory. From October 2024 to June 2025, more than 4,800 people across Haiti were killed by gang violence. Hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped, raped and trafficked, according to the United Nations. Gang violence also has displaced more than 1.3 million people in recent years, with Jean noting that the government is trying to ensure that Haitians are able to return home soon. The government has started distributing money to some of the tens of thousands of people crowded into schools and makeshift shelters. Jean is leading a council tasked with organizing general elections by February 2026, but ongoing gang violence is threatening that deadline. 'We are doing everything possible so we can hold elections,' he said, declining to provide a date. Haiti hasn't held general elections in almost a decade, with its last president, Jovenel Moïse, slain at his private residence in July 2021. Gang violence has since surged in the aftermath of the slaying.
Business Insider
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
South Sudan declares Kenyan-led peace talks dead amid escalating tensions in Africa's youngest nation
South Sudan has officially declared the Kenyan-led Tumaini Peace Initiative defunct, months after the process was quietly suspended amid mounting tensions and deepening mistrust between the Juba government and newly incorporated opposition groups. South Sudan has officially announced the termination of the Kenyan-led Tumaini Peace Initiative. South Sudan raised concerns over financial transparency and the creation of a military wing by opposition groups abroad. Government representatives criticized Tumaini for undermining the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). Tumaini undermines existing peace deal – Juba Speaking on behalf of the South Sudanese government delegation, Presidential Advisor Kuol Manyang Juuk criticised the Tumaini Initiative for straying from its original mandate and attempting to sideline the existing Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), signed in 2018. "The R-ARCSS has not been dissolved, so it cannot be replaced by the Tumaini," Juuk told reporters. "Eighty per cent of what Tumaini quotes is already part of the R-ARCSS. The remaining 10 per cent was not included in the original deal for good reason, you add the few to the majority, not the other way round." The Tumaini Initiative was launched in December 2023 at the request of President Salva Kiir and with Kenya's support. It aimed to reinvigorate South Sudan's stalled peace efforts by involving newly formed opposition movements, including the United People's Alliance. However, Juba now claims the initiative has legitimised rebellion and undermined a functioning peace framework. Accusations of political subversion Juuk further accused Tumaini backers of seeking to "do away with the R-ARCSS so Tumaini can take over, and they come in as the new authority of the land." He said those involved were once part of government and could not now disown policies they had participated in shaping. He also raised concerns about the financial integrity of exiled opposition leaders. "Some of them are living lavishly abroad—renting or buying villas. Where is that money coming from if not looted from South Sudan when they were in power?" he alleged. One of the Tumaini Initiative's central proposals was the creation of a Leadership Council to serve as the apex body of governance, a suggestion Juuk dismissed as a veiled attempt at a coup. "That's a coup by another name. Accepting such a model would set a dangerous precedent of political blackmail," he warned. "Anyone can now gather five supporters, move to Nairobi, and demand peace talks as a new rebel group." He disclosed that South Sudan had officially protested to Kenya over reports that the United People's Alliance had formed a military wing while operating from within Kenyan borders, a move he described as contrary to East African Community (EAC) norms. "You can't allow anyone claiming a dispute with the government to gain legitimacy through rebellion. So it's dead. Tumaini is dead," he stated firmly. The Tumaini talks were adjourned for the third time on 7 February 2025, without any concrete resolutions. Initially hailed as a bold intervention by Kenyan President William Ruto to revive a faltering peace process, after frustrations with the Italy-based Sant'Egidio talks, the Tumaini Initiative now appears to have collapsed under the strain of mutual suspicion and political infighting.
Korea Herald
29-07-2025
- Politics
- Korea Herald
Haiti to send 400 police officers to Brazil for training as gangs seize more territory
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti's government said Monday it plans to send 400 police officers to Brazil next month for training as gang violence overwhelms the troubled Caribbean country. Currently, Haiti only has about 10,000 police officers and 1,300 soldiers protecting a country of nearly 12 million people, said Fritz Alphonse Jean, leader of the transitional presidential council. A total of 700 Haitian police officers and soldiers will be trained by foreign countries in upcoming months and will then join a Kenyan-led, UN-backed mission in its fight against gangs. 'Haiti is weak, and we need special training,' Jean said during a rare press conference held for international media. Last week, 150 Haitian soldiers were deployed to Mexico for training as gangs that control up to 90 percent of the capital, Port-au-Prince, encroach on more territory. From October 2024 to June 2025, more than 4,800 people across Haiti were killed by gang violence. Hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped, raped and trafficked, according to the UN. Gang violence also has displaced more than 1.3 million people in recent years, with Jean noting that the government is trying to ensure that Haitians are able to return home soon. The government has started distributing money to some of the tens of thousands of people crowded into schools and makeshift shelters. Jean is leading a council tasked with organizing general elections by February 2026, but ongoing gang violence is threatening that deadline. 'We are doing everything possible so we can hold elections,' he said, declining to provide a date. Haiti hasn't held general elections in almost a decade, with its last president, Jovenel Moise, slain at his private residence in July 2021. Gang violence has since surged in the aftermath of the slaying.
Hamilton Spectator
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Haiti to send 400 police officers to Brazil for training as gangs seize more territory
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti's government said Monday it plans to send 400 police officers to Brazil next month for training as gang violence overwhelms the troubled Caribbean country. Currently, Haiti only has about 10,000 police officers and 1,300 soldiers protecting a country of nearly 12 million people, said Fritz Alphonse Jean , leader of the transitional presidential council. A total of 700 Haitian police officers and soldiers will be trained by foreign countries in upcoming months and will then join a Kenyan-led, U.N.-backed mission in its fight against gangs. 'Haiti is weak, and we need special training,' Jean said during a rare press conference held for international media. Last week, 150 Haitian soldiers were deployed to Mexico for training as gangs that control up to 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, encroach on more territory. From October 2024 to June 2025, more than 4,800 people across Haiti were killed by gang violence . Hundreds more have been injured, kidnapped, raped and trafficked, according to the United Nations. Gang violence also has displaced more than 1.3 million people in recent years, with Jean noting that the government is trying to ensure that Haitians are able to return home soon. The government has started distributing money to some of the tens of thousands of people crowded into schools and makeshift shelters. Jean is leading a council tasked with organizing general elections by February 2026, but ongoing gang violence is threatening that deadline. 'We are doing everything possible so we can hold elections,' he said, declining to provide a date. Haiti hasn't held general elections in almost a decade, with its last president, Jovenel Moïse , slain at his private residence in July 2021. Gang violence has since surged in the aftermath of the slaying. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
