Haiti - FLASH : The deployment of Benin troops in uncertainty
Beninese Foreign Minister hegun Adjadi Bakari recalls in an interview with the Miami Herald. "From the beginning... we have made it clear that what Haiti needs is not a police mission. We believe that a military mission is needed in Haiti to fight the gangs."
Shegun Adjadi Bakari, who points out that Béton would be the only French-speaking contingent, says he is ready to send up to 2,000 troops immediately. But he clarifies that "[...] you cannot ask the military to be led by police officers... This has never happened anywhere in the world. You need military personnel to lead military personnel : That’s where we are today, we said : We cannot send our military to Haiti to be led by police [...]"
Bakari said he is optimistic that Benin will be able to maintain its commitment to Haiti, stressing "There is a diplomatic meeting planned with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken later this month, and Benin plans to raise its concerns again."
"Our position is simple [...] We are ready. Our people are trained, they have all the authorizations, but at the same time, the United States, Canada, France and other countries must commit in terms of funding."
Beyond a question of command, the problem lies above all in the funding of the Mission, which is insufficient.
