- Haitian authorities working closely with Lankan contingent
- Armoured vehicle patrols MSR from Port-au-Prince to Gonaïves
The Sri Lankan contribution to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), a United Nations (UN) Security Council-mandated deployment to the troubled island nation of Haiti, has begun patrolling and securing a main supply route to help restore normalcy and law and order, The Sunday Morning learns.
According to contingent Commander Col. H.B.T. Priyankara, the first detachment of 350 Sri Lankan personnel is patrolling a key main supply route, allowing supplies and aid convoys to move unhindered by the armed gangs who control wide swathes of the island.
Haiti, with a population around half of Sri Lanka, has been largely lawless, with organised crime gangs controlling many parts of its cities. The second part of the Sri Lankan contingent, including members of the Police Special Task Force, is expected to depart for Haiti by the first week of November. The full Sri Lankan contingent for the GSF numbers 1,087 strong, with 900 personnel from the Sri Lanka Army.
Last month, the UN Security Council renewed the GSF’s mandate in Haiti for six months, with member nations calling for its rapid deployment to reclaim territory from armed gangs, restore State authority, and create conditions for elections.
According to the UN, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2829 (2026) (S/RES/2829[2026]) by a vote of 12 in favour, none against, and with three abstentions, extending the mandate of the GSF until 31 March next year.
The latest round of instability in Haiti
Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, Haiti has seen its instability spiral out of control.
Despite the then Prime Minister taking over duties, State institutions in the island nation have effectively collapsed, enabling criminal groups to seize control of the vast majority of the capital and critical infrastructure. Today, multiple crime groups, some working in a coalition, control many parts of key cities.
Haiti has seen its share of violence and instability, with Sri Lankan peacekeepers deployed to the island to support the UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) during 2004–2015.
The UN has made allegations against some Sri Lankan peacekeepers who served with MINUSTAH and moved to repatriate some personnel. It is learnt that the Sri Lankan Government had taken disciplinary action against some of the accused, leading to the removal of several personnel from service.
Mandate
However, this deployment of Sri Lankan personnel to Haiti does not come under the ‘peacekeeping’ mandate.
UN Security Council Resolution 2793 calls for the multinational GSF mission to work in close cooperation with the Haitian Government, in compliance with international law, including international human rights law, as applicable, and the UN’s human rights policy.
The GSF deployment in Haiti operates under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which grants the mission legal authority to use coercive measures and force to address threats to international peace and security. The mission’s primary objectives involve coordinating with the Haitian National Police and Haitian armed forces to dismantle gangs, protect critical infrastructure, and secure humanitarian aid corridors.
The UN-backed, US-led mission, also supported by Canada and France, aims to help the Haitian authorities regain control of the nation, which is in a state of lawlessness and has not held elections for some time. Personnel from contributing nations are arriving in Haiti to join the GSF, which is taking over from the previous mission – Multinational Security Support (MSS).
Protecting supply routes: SL’s primary mission
According to Col. Priyankara, the first group of Sri Lankan personnel joining the GSF arrived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in early July and underwent several weeks of specialised training under the supervision of UN-led specialists. The first deployment comprised 350 Army personnel.
Sri Lankan personnel are stationed in the coastal city of Gonaïves in the Artibonite administrative department (district), home to nearly 1.5 million Haitians.
“We are mandated under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to uphold the missions’ goals and maintain law and order,” Col. Priyankara said, adding that the contingent had commenced vehicle-mounted patrol missions to secure a key supply route that was used to move humanitarian aid and supplies between cities in the region.
The 350 Sri Lankan personnel are all stationed at one encampment and patrol out of the base.
“Our main task at present is to open and secure the Main Supply Route (MSR) from Gonaïves to the capital of Haiti – Port-au-Prince. We have established our presence in Gonaïves and conduct vehicle patrols to clear the area of gangs and deter their return. The other contingents that are joining the GSF are now arriving in Gonaïves to join us,” Col. Priyankara explained.
He added that the presence of the Sri Lankan contingent was acting as a deterrent to gang activity, especially to reduce a spate of kidnappings which had been commonplace before their arrival.
The route from Gonaïves to Port-au-Prince is roughly 150 km and needs patrolling and overwatch duties to ensure convoys are not attacked by gangs. When asked why the GSF was only mounting vehicle patrols at present, Col. Priyankara said that gangs often sniped or attacked convoys from within built-up areas where there were houses, then melted away into the population, making retaliatory action challenging.
“They mingle amongst civilians and carry out hit-and-run attacks, so we are careful; we need to minimise risk to our troops as well,” he said.
He added that the GSF conducted joint patrols with the Haitian National Police and closely coordinated operations.
Once fully deployed, the Sri Lankan contingent will have an Army ‘Level 1’ hospital. The UN currently provides logistics support via UN helicopters. When the full contingent arrives, they are planning to run their own supply convoys.
Criminal networks
When asked about the criminal groups disrupting governance and the rule of law in and around Gonaïves, Col. Priyankara said that the GSF had identified several main groups, including Viv Ansanm, a crime gang coalition; the notorious gang Gran Grif; G-Pèp; and the Kokorat San Ras.
According to international media reports, Gran Grif is based in the Artibonite region, and some observers consider it the largest and most ruthless gang outside Port-au-Prince.
Founded by former lawmaker Prophane Victor, the gang specialises in large-scale massacres (such as the devastating October 2024 rampage in nearby Pont-Sondé), arms trafficking, and sexual violence. It frequently attacks the transport routes connecting Gonaïves to the capital.
Viv Ansanm (which translates to ‘living together’) is reportedly a large crime coalition formed when historically rival factions united to actively dismantle government control. It controls much of the capital and roughly half of the Artibonite department. Jimmy ‘Barbecue’ Chérizier, a former Police officer turned gangster, leads it.
G-Pèp, reportedly led by Jean-Pierre Gabriel, challenges international forces, while some factions continue to wage turf wars over major transit roads across western and central Haiti.
Col. Priyankara explained that the gangs the GSF was up against were well armed with small arms, including military-grade automatic weapons, necessitating patrolling in armoured vehicles.
Joint operations
The GSF mission is coordinated by a Joint Operations Centre at the GSF Headquarters in Port-au-Prince.
According to Col. Priyankara, the mission has support from an aviation unit, similar to the Sri Lanka Air Force mission in the Central African Republic, with an El Salvadoran helicopter unit providing air support.
“We can call them for air support or for a medivac (medical evacuation) if the need arises. We coordinate our patrols and missions with them. They are capable and ready to assist us,” he said.
Troops from other contributing nations and the Haitian authorities support the Sri Lankan contingent.
Public reception
When asked, Col. Priyankara said that the Haitians had welcomed them and supported their efforts.
“Government officials of the Artibonite Department have been welcoming and work closely with us. Even the Bishop and the judges have been keen to meet us and discuss keeping the supply routes safe. The Director General of the hospital and the Mayor of the city have also been helpful,” he said.
“We have good engagement with the public and they wave to us when we patrol. Some of them come out of the cities and travel between the cities when we patrol; it seems that they feel safe to get about when we are on the ground.”