Bahamas resumes diplomatic presence in Haiti

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The Bahamian government has announced plans to restore its diplomatic presence in Haiti after it evacuated its diplomats in March amid escalating violence over a criminal gang’s attempt to overthrow the government.

Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell told reporters that the cabinet has approved the return of Bahamian diplomats to Haiti. The Bahamian embassy, which is staffed by 11 local staff and nine diplomatic personnel, including interim commander Godfrey Rolle, is preparing to resume operations.

Mitchell also mentioned that the building that houses the Bahamian Embassy is for sale, prompting officials to look for new office space.

“Defence Force officers, who are security personnel for diplomatic missions in Haiti, will go and assess and select a suitable location. Once the assessment is complete, the diplomats will follow up,” Mitchell explained.

He also noted that a UN resolution authorizing Kenyan troops to go to Haiti was extended for one year last month.

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“The Kenyans are now on the ground and have assumed operational command. The exact nature of the mission will be determined by the relationship between the Royal Bahamas Defense Force, the Kenyan military and the Haitian government,” Mitchell said. “This ensures that we have the necessary legal framework, but at this point it is a diplomatic mission and we will see how the role of the defense force evolves.”

The Bahamas has pledged to send 150 defense force officers to join a multinational team led by Kenya to help stabilize Haiti.

A second group of Kenyan police officers recently departed for Haiti, following the initial deployment of about 400 officers to Port-au-Prince in June as part of Kenya’s commitment of about 1,000 police officers to help stabilize Haiti.