Chad deploys troops to Haiti to bolster gang suppression force

Chadian troops have begun arriving in Haiti to bolster the United Nations-backed Gang Suppression Force. The deployment includes approximately 300 to 350 soldiers intended to assist local forces in combating armed gangs that control significant portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

The international mission, authorized by the UN Security Council and supported by the United States, aims to reach a total of 5,500 personnel. To date, just over 1,000 personnel have been deployed, which has limited the force's capacity for large-scale operations. For Chad, the mission serves to provide military experience in complex urban environments and improve interoperability with international partners.

This security buildup occurs amid a severe humanitarian crisis and preparations for Haiti's general elections, currently scheduled for December 13. The electoral process faces significant hurdles, including gang control over at least 23 municipalities, preventing officials from accessing voting centers, and lower-than-expected voter registration numbers.