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The invasion of Haiti – 2024 style

Interesting oped- let’s check it out at Haitian Times

Excerpts below- read entirely at link above

With U.S. and Canadian forces already arriving in Haiti and history of prior failures looming, Haitians await Kenya-led MSS with suspicion

Even before the United Nations Security Council formally adopted Resolution 2699 in October 2023 to deploy the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti, the arrival of armed troops on Haitian soil was “imminent.” Eight months later, we can reasonably say the invasion is here, albeit in a different form than we’re used to seeing. 

Based on actual developments, the Haiti invasion is here — vle ou pa. Whether or not we want it. 

Clearly, the invasion is here even though Kenyans have not yet stepped foot in Haiti yet. And by all indications, this approach works for the international community in a balanced way and won’t change soon. So we can stop saying “imminent” and just say “it’s here.”

What makes this an invasion?

Officially/unofficially, this intervention is playing out. To prove it, let’s revisit some basic definitions.

A geopolitical invasion is the initial act of entering and taking control of a territory, usually with significant military engagement, according to WordReference Forums. The next phase is an occupation, where the invader establishes and maintains control, often involving administrative and governance responsibilities. Wikipedia tells us an invasion is a military offensive usually involving large numbers to either conquer or re-establish control over a territory, liberate previously lost territory, force partition, alter the established government, gain concession or access natural resources or strategic positions.

In the end, the most notable discovery is that Haitians are still not at the table. And, most Haitians believe the U.S. is always involved in Haiti’s affairs, even when the U.S. may not be.

Fueling suspicion are activities like last month’s joint press conference with U.S. President Joe Biden and Kenyan President William Ruto. The pair discussed deploying the non-UN multinational force for the MSS operations, estimated to cost $600 million annually.

“The United States deploying forces in the hemisphere raises all kinds of questions that could easily be misrepresented,” Biden said at the time. “We set out to find a partner or partners that would lead that effort, and we would participate in, not with American forces, but with supplies and making sure they have what they needed.”

Translation: We don’t want to be seen as an hegemonic imperial power and Haiti is not worth losing this election over if American soldiers start dying there. But, we’ll still lead the strategy and pay for it.

The US and Canada are indeed on the ground in Haiti- But you all knew that already!

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