Nairobi, Kenya – A new report by the United Nations has confirmed four cases of rape involving members of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, including one case involving a 12-year-old girl.
According to the findings by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, all four allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse were investigated and “corroborated.” The victims were reported to be aged 12, 16, 16, and 18.
The MSS mission—largely composed of police officers from Kenya—was deployed in June 2024 to help combat gang violence in Haiti. While authorized by the UN Security Council in 2023, it is not officially classified as a United Nations peacekeeping mission. The cases were therefore listed under “Non-United Nations force” in the report.
Despite the severity of the allegations, the report indicates that action in most cases remains “pending.” In the case involving the 12-year-old victim, an internal investigation was conducted by the mission, though no further details were disclosed.
UN independent human rights expert William O’Neill strongly condemned the incidents, calling for accountability and transparency.
“Four cases is four too many,” O’Neill said. “There must be thorough and independent investigations and if warranted, prosecutions. No impunity and maximum transparency required. And justice for the victims.”
He emphasized the need for specialized investigators and survivor-centered reporting systems, particularly in cases involving children and vulnerable populations.
Efforts to obtain comment from MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge and mission spokesperson Jack Mbaka were unsuccessful. Similarly, the UN human rights office has not issued additional statements beyond the report.
UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that the organization has flagged the issue for urgent follow-up with the newly deployed anti-gang force and its leadership, including special representative Jack Christofides.
The report underscores the importance of establishing strong safeguards as the new force takes over operations in Haiti, including mechanisms to prevent, investigate, and publicly report human rights violations.
Sexual exploitation by foreign security forces has been a longstanding issue in Haiti. Previous allegations plagued a UN peacekeeping mission that ended in 2017, prompting reforms such as public disclosure of accused personnel’s nationalities and the establishment of victim support trust funds.
The latest revelations, first reported by Haitian outlet AyiboPost, raise fresh concerns about accountability and the protection of vulnerable communities as international interventions continue in the crisis-hit nation.
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