Haitians welcome approval of Kenya-led mission

Haitians on Tuesday welcomed the news that the United Nations Security Council has approved the deployment of a Kenya-led armed force to Haiti. 

The international mission , led by Kenya but with personnel also from Jamaica, the Bahamas and Antigua and Barbuda, will be the first time in almost 20 years that a force is being deployed to the Caribbean country. 

A 2004 UN mission ended in 2017, which aided criminals in seizing control of much of the country. 

The upcoming non-UN mission has been authorised for a one-year deployment to help quell the violent gangs . 

It will be reviewed after nine months and is to be funded by voluntary contributions, with the U.S. pledging up to $200 million.

Previous interventions

More than 2,400 people were reported killed between January and mid-August of this year, while more than 950 have been kidnapped and another 902 wounded, according to UN statistics. 

The UNSC's approval of the mission comes nearly a year after Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry and 18 top government officials requested the immediate deployment of a foreign armed force to fight gangs. 

Yet, some Haitians remain wary of foreign intervention. 

Previous missions have left many angry, with a sexual abuse and cholera outbreak scandal blighting the UN's MINUSTAH mission .

Some critics have also warned of past abuses committed by the Kenyan police force, but supporters say the UN's resolution approving the new force contains strong language to prevent abuse.