Chad to Send 750 Troops to Strengthen UN-Backed Anti-Gang Mission in Haiti

Chad will send 750 security personnel to Haiti to support a UN-backed mission aimed at combating gang violence. The deployment, set to begin at the end of March, is part of efforts to strengthen international security operations after previous interventions yielded limited results.

Chad has announced that it will deploy 750 members of its security forces to Haiti as part of a United Nations-backed mission aimed at tackling escalating gang violence in the Caribbean nation. The announcement was confirmed by the country’s foreign ministry on Tuesday, with officials stating that the deployment is in response to a request from the United Nations, which is overseeing and providing logistical support for the operation.
Haiti has for years struggled with widespread insecurity, largely driven by powerful criminal gangs that control large parts of the capital and other regions. These groups have been responsible for kidnappings, killings, and the disruption of essential services, leaving the country’s already fragile institutions under severe strain.
In 2023, the United Nations approved the creation of a multinational security mission to support Haitian police in restoring order. However, the effort yielded limited success, with violence continuing to surge in many areas. Recognizing the need for a stronger intervention, the UN Security Council last year endorsed plans to transform the mission into a more robust anti-gang force with enhanced capabilities and a larger personnel base.
According to a Chadian officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, the contingent will include 750 soldiers drawn from the police and gendarmerie. The forces are expected to integrate into the broader international effort aimed at suppressing gang activities and stabilizing the country. The officer noted that the first group of personnel is scheduled to depart for Haiti at the end of March, with additional deployments continuing through June.
The expanded mission is expected to accommodate up to 5,500 uniformed personnel, including both soldiers and police officers from participating countries. It will replace the earlier Multinational Security Mission, which was largely composed of Kenyan police officers and had faced operational challenges on the ground.
Recent data from the United Nations highlights the severity of the crisis, revealing that more than 5,500 people were killed between March last year and mid-January as a result of gang violence and security operations targeting armed groups. The new deployment is part of a broader international effort to curb the violence and restore a semblance of stability in Haiti.