Indiscriminate violence continues to plague the residents of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and remains endemic in the slum of Cite Soleil . A legitimate and competent police force is nearly non-existent, as Haitian residents are more likely to see gang members standing on their street corner than a patrol of Haitian police . Juan Gabriel Valdes , the UN special envoy to Haiti, estimated that an additional 14,000 police officers are needed to restore a semblance of law and order to the streets of Haiti. An estimated 20,000 officers would be optimal?with 6,000 currently comprising the bulk of the Haitian police force?but that goal could take as long as three years.
However, newly-elected Haitian political leaders firing officers and hiring individuals loyal to them has further complicated this task and could further delegitimize the nascent police force. Additionally, human rights experts working with the UN have documented numerous cases of police brutality and arbitrary arrest, torture, and murder. Current Haitian Police Chief Mario Andresol has begun to weed out officers more loyal to particular lawmakers than their national government. The obstacles are numerous for the infant Haitian government, although restoration of security is imperative for a democracy to function properly.
The international community remains lackadaisical in its commitment to the Haitian government and appears more willing to watch the country implode than take definitive steps to ensure its success. This is most adequately demonstrated by analyzing the initiatives of the CARICOM nations concerning the rebuilding of Haiti . Little to no financial assistance has been forthcoming, and Caribbean nations are hesitant to pledge any future aid or resources to the Haitian government. Jordanian peacekeepers patrol the streets of Cite Soleil, remaining isolated from the general populace due to cultural differences. Regional peacekeepers, potentially represented by CARICOM nations, would be better equipped to handle the arduous task of securing the slum; however, such a development is unlikely to occur any time soon.
The Bush administration has demonstrated its commitment financially but remains unwilling to engage militarily due to the enormous ongoing troop deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan . Hesitant commitments means the UN and the Brazilian peacekeeping forces must continue to bear the brunt of the burden both militarily and financially. A possible and potential exodus of Brazilian forces would leave a void that would likely be filled by warring criminal factions and nefarious elements of the Haitian underworld. A sustained commitment to the future prosperity of Haiti is in the best interest of the Haitian people and neighboring states. Half-hearted commitments will undoubtedly lead to the collapse of the Preval regime and further erode any prospects for peace and security upon the island.
