N'DJAMENA, Chad (AP) – Chad is set to deploy 1,500 troops to Haiti as part of a United Nations security mission aimed at combating rampant gang violence in the Caribbean nation. This announcement was made by Chadian President Mahamat Déby Itno in a letter to the Chadian legislature, which was read to lawmakers on Monday.

President Déby's letter outlined that the deployment will consist of two battalions, each comprising 750 troops, starting this month and lasting for a duration of one year. This mission aligns with a formal request made by the United Nations to address the escalating security crisis in Haiti.

In a statement regarding the deployment, President Déby noted that a contingent of 400 troops had already been sent to Haiti as part of this ongoing mission, which he emphasized honors Chad along with its defense and security forces.

The focus of this mission comes in light of a significant escalation in violence and crime orchestrated by gangs in Haiti. Last year, the U.N. Security Council approved the expansion of a Kenya-led multinational force in Haiti, which has been named the Gang Suppression Force. This expanded force will consist of 5,500 troops and has been given additional powers to arrest suspected gang members, a notable evolution from the capabilities of the previous mission.

The original mission, launched in 2023, was meant to include 2,500 personnel led by the Kenyan police. However, it faced severe limitations due to staffing shortages and a lack of financial resources.

Currently, deadly gangs are reported to control as much as 90% of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, along with large areas in the central part of the country. The situation has escalated sharply, with gangs undertaking high-profile criminal activities and violence against civilians. In a notorious incident in 2021, a group of gunmen assassinated the former president of Haiti, Jovenel Moïse, in his own home.

Recent violence has led to tragic outcomes, such as the attack last month by the Gran Grif gang, which resulted in at least 30 deaths and left numerous individuals unaccounted for in the town of Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite, located in central Haiti. Human rights organizations have reported on the dire consequences of gang activities, further highlighting the urgent need for intervention and support from international forces.

Chad’s commitment to contributing troops underscores the rising global acknowledgment of the crisis in Haiti and the need for collaborative international efforts to restore order and security in the region. With the stabilization of Haiti being a critical concern for both regional and international stakeholders, the deployment of Chadian troops is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing the pervasive issues of lawlessness and gang violence that profoundly affect the daily lives of Haitian citizens.