Motorcycle rider, aged 19, perishes after plunging 21 meters from DASH overpass close to Shah Alam, according to police reports.

The political and security situation in Haiti remains precarious, with the country grappling with escalating gang violence. In a bid to restore order, the United States and Panama have expressed their readiness to provide troops for a multinational force to collaborate with Haiti's Armed Forces. This move comes as some South American countries have also shown willingness to contribute soldiers for such a force.

The proposal for a multinational force is not a new idea, as a Kenyan-led multinational force has already been deployed to support Haiti's police. However, the violence in the country continues to escalate, prompting renewed calls for support from Latin American countries. The United States and Canada have already provided assistance to Haiti, but the need for further aid is becoming increasingly apparent.

The Organization of American States (OAS) has released a new roadmap for assistance, urging more money and international support to address poverty, instability, and gang violence in Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. The roadmap, released this week, focuses on improving security in Haiti, where large portions of the capital Port-au-Prince are controlled by rival armed gangs.

The assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021 has contributed to the turbulence in Haiti's political situation. The Haitian presidential transition council took over the country in 2022 after Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned. The council has stated that they will hold elections before the end of their mandate in February 2026. However, the OAS Secretary General, Albert Ramdin, has expressed skepticism about the council's ability to hold elections as planned and has called for discussions about what will happen when the council's mandate ends to avoid a political vacuum.

Ramdin emphasized the need to rebuild trust in Haiti, given the history of failed foreign interventions and squandered aid. He urged that politics should not be played with Haiti and that egos should be forgotten. Ramdin also warned that a political vacuum could be exploited by Haiti's gang leaders, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

According to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, at least 3,141 people have been killed in Haiti during the first half of this year. The OAS Secretary General discussed a new roadmap for assistance in an interview with AFP, emphasizing the need for international cooperation to address the crisis in Haiti. The roadmap urges assistance for Haiti, but it is important to note that the OAS does not have a mandate for a peacekeeping mission, so any force would have to be led by the United Nations or another country.

In conclusion, the situation in Haiti remains dire, with rising gang violence and political instability threatening the country's stability. The proposed multinational force, along with the new roadmap for assistance released by the OAS, offers a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. However, it is essential that international cooperation is maintained, and that the needs of the Haitian people are prioritized over political agendas.