MSS Mission Secrecy Could Fuel Malign Disinformation Risks in Haiti

Written By Wolf Pamphile

A man waves a Russian national flag in front of the U.S. embassy in Haiti as he hopes for support from the Russian government, during a protest to reject an international military force requested by the government and to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Monday, Oct. 17, 2022. (Licensed-AP Photo/Odelyn Joseph)

This month, the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission disclosed plans for the potential deployment of several hundred soldiers to Haiti by the end of May 2024, a mere 2-3 weeks from now. Yet, both Haitians and the diaspora find themselves grappling with numerous unanswered questions: 

  • Which countries are involved in the mission, and what specific roles will they play? 

  • Who are the key police or military leaders overseeing this operation?  

  • What specific areas in Haiti will the mission target? 

  • What rules of engagement have been established for the soldiers, and how will their adherence be ensured? 

  • How can Haitians report any instances of abuse? 

  • To whom should such abuses and misconduct be reported? 

  • The mission asserts that it will combat gangs and reduce violence in Haiti, if so, what precisely is the strategic goal of the soldiers to come later this month? 

  • What are the long-term strategies for rebuilding and sustaining peace after the mission concludes? 

The absence of clear information creates a void that could easily be exploited by opportunist like Guy Phillipe and disinformation campaigns from adversarial nations like Russia. Clear and ongoing communication with the public is essential for the mission’s success. It is crucial that all stakeholders prioritize keeping the public informed through weekly updates, live sessions on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and various written communications. 

In Haiti, when entering someone’s home, a visitor typically announces "Onè!" signaling "Honor." The host responds with "Respè," meaning "Respect." To date, the Haitian public has not heard "Onè" from the MSS mission, highlighting a significant gap in communication and respect that must be addressed. 

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Haiti Policy House is a not-for-profit institution focusing on Haitian public policy issues. Its research is nonpartisan. Haiti Policy House does not take specific policy positions. Accordingly, all views, positions, and conclusions expressed in this publication should be understood to be solely those of the author(s).

© 2024 by Haiti Policy House. All rights reserved.

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