Dominican Republic calls for Haiti force to be strengthened

UNITED NATIONS, United States (AFP) — The Dominican Republic called Thursday for the United Nations (UN)-backed armed force combating gangs in neighbouring Haiti to be strengthened, warning that limited progress in protecting the Haitian people was at risk.

Announced by the UN Security Council last year, the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) had been expected to ramp up between April and October to a planned capacity of 5,500 uniformed personnel and 50 civilian staff.

But GSF spokesperson Igor Rugwiza has said the goal of 5,500 members could not be achieved in such a short time due to “logistical constraints.”