The Republic of Chad is set to deploy 1,500 of its soldiers to Haiti as part of a United Nations-backed security force aimed at curbing gang violence in the Caribbean nation. This announcement follows a formal letter from President Mahamat Déby Itno to the country’s Parliament.

In a statement delivered to lawmakers on Monday, the Chadian head of state revealed that two battalions—each comprising 750 troops—will be dispatched starting this month. The deployment, requested by the UN, is scheduled to last for one year.

President Déby highlighted the ongoing commitment, noting that an initial contingent of 400 personnel has already been deployed to Haiti. He emphasized that this mission reflects the dedication of Chad’s defense and security forces to international peacekeeping efforts.

Last year, the UN Security Council approved an expansion of the multinational force led by Kenya—known as the Gang Suppression Force—to 5,500 troops. The mandate was also broadened to include the arrest of suspected gang members, a power previously unavailable to the earlier mission.

The initial force, launched in 2023 with 2,500 personnel under Kenyan police leadership, faced significant challenges due to insufficient staffing and funding. Gang violence in Haiti has escalated dramatically, with armed groups now controlling up to 90% of Port-au-Prince, the capital, as well as large portions of the central region.

Tragedy struck in 2021 when gunmen assassinated former Haitian President Jovenel Moïse at his private residence. Recent clashes have further intensified, with at least 30 fatalities and numerous disappearances reported following a violent attack by the Gran Grif gang in the central town of Petite-Rivière de l’Artibonite last month.