NASSAU, Bahamas (CMC) — The Bahamas has sent a six-member advance team to join the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission that is tasked with restoring security on the French-speaking country of Haiti, where criminal gangs have been in control of a majority section of the capital, Port au Prince.

A statement from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) said that the advance team will be joining the MSS, which is “an effort spearheaded by Caricom (Caribbean Community) in partnership with international allies such as Kenya, Jamaica, and Belize.

“This coordinated mission will provide critical support to help restore peace and stability in Haiti,” the RBDF said, adding that the officers will serve for six months in “a challenging but necessary deployment aimed at making a significant impact on the region’s security.

“Their participation not only enhances The Bahamas’ role in regional security but also supports broader Caricom-led efforts,” the RBDF said.

Earlier this month, Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille described as successful, his visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kenya, as the French-speaking Carisom country seeks to improve its socio-economic, security and political situation.

Conille told a news conference that the objective of his mission was to establish new partnerships with other countries, including the UAE and to meet with Kenyan President William Ruto, to help him raise awareness among the international community about the urgency of the multifaceted crisis in Haiti.

He said “in the coming weeks”, 600 new Kenyan police officers will be deployed to Haiti, as part of the MSS.

Kenya has been leading the MSS under a United Nations Security Council sanctioned mandate as Haiti seeks to deal with an upsurge in criminal gang activities ever since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise at his private residence in July, 2021.

“I am pleased to announce that an additional 600 Kenyan police officers are completing their pre-deployment training and will be ready for duty next month,” President Ruto told reporters last week, calling on the international community to “urgently” rally behind the MSS that is also facing a lack of funding.

Prime Minister Conille said he is confident that other countries in the region will follow suit.

In its statement, the RBDF provided details on the expected task of the Bahamian soldiers, which include maritime patrols, port security, preventing illegal migration, countering illicit trafficking and intelligence cooperation.

It also noted that duties include “contributing to the overall safety of the Caribbean by addressing destabilising illicit activities” and “creating a secure environment to enable peaceful political processes, aligning with broader efforts to restore Haiti’s political stability”.

“This RBDF deployment is notable not only for its mission but also for the groundbreaking inclusion of the first-ever female RBDF officer to be deployed on an international mission, a milestone moment that reflects The Bahamas’ commitment to gender equality and leadership within its armed forces,” the RBDF said.

“The team’s expertise spans several areas crucial to the mission’s success, including conduct and discipline, command headquarters assistance, operations, and administration.”

Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis and other senior government officials attended the official send-off of the officers over the weekend.

“Although Prime Minister Davis did not make any official remarks at the send-off, his presence underscored the Bahamian Government’s dedication to supporting regional security and promoting peace in the Caribbean,” the RBDF said.

“The commitment to this mission reflects the broader leadership of The Bahamas in supporting its neighbours in times of need.

“This deployment serves as a testament to the resilience and unity of the Bahamian people and reinforces The Bahamas’ long-standing tradition of offering a helping hand to its neighbours in times of crisis,” the RBDF added.