Haiti’s notorious gang leader, Jimmy Cherizier, also known as Barbecue, has recently made a dramatic appeal to the Kenyan government.
In a press interview conducted in French and published on August 23, 2024, Barbecue asked Kenya to withdraw its troops from Haiti, expressing his desire to avoid further conflict.
Barbecue, who heads one of the most feared gangs in Haiti, surprised many by describing Kenyan officers as “brothers.”
In the past, Barbecue had even threatened to shoot down Kenyan police and referred to them as invaders. Now, he claims to see them in a different light and hopes to prevent any more violence.
During the interview, Barbecue accused Western countries, including the United States, France, and Canada, of stirring up trouble in Haiti.
He argues that these nations, through organizations like Caricom, have imposed a government on Haiti that only serves their own interests.
According to him, the ongoing violence and instability in the country are being fueled by powerful Haitian oligarchs and foreign politicians who supply gangs with weapons to keep the situation chaotic.
Barbecue’s claims are significant as they highlight his view that the current multinational security mission in Haiti, which includes Kenyan troops, is unlikely to succeed.
Instead, he advocates for dialogue as the only viable solution to the crisis. He believes that true peace can only be achieved through negotiations, rather than through military intervention.
The gang leader’s recent statements mark a notable shift from his previous stance. Previously, Barbecue had expressed a willingness to fight and even die for what he sees as the liberation of Haiti from foreign control.
His current remarks suggest a change in strategy, emphasizing a desire to avoid further bloodshed and seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
By Kenyans