Kenya Urges International Support for Ongoing Haiti Police Mission

Kenya is making an urgent appeal for financial assistance from the global community to sustain its police deployment in Haiti, which has recently been extended for another year. This multinational security mission, initiated in June, aims to combat the rampant gang violence that has overrun much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and surrounding areas.

According to the United Nations, Haiti has witnessed over 3,600 violent deaths since January, including more than 100 children. Additionally, more than 500,000 Haitians have been displaced due to ongoing violence and instability. In light of these alarming statistics, Kenyan President William Ruto emphasized the critical need for support during a meeting in Nairobi with Haiti’s Prime Minister, Garry Conille.

“We are asking the international community to match their commitments and pledges with the necessary action for us to be able to complete the task ahead of us,” Ruto stated. The situation in Haiti remains dire, with reports indicating that gangs are expanding their reach into new areas, exacerbating the crisis and leading to further displacement of residents.

As part of its commitment, Kenya initially deployed 400 of the 1,000 police officers it pledged in June and July. President Ruto confirmed that the remaining 600 officers are currently undergoing training and are expected to join the mission next month. In addition to Kenya, several other countries have pledged to contribute at least 1,900 more officers to the multinational effort.

Despite the mission being approved by the UN Security Council, it operates independently of the UN and relies entirely on voluntary financial contributions. So far, only $85 million of the estimated $600 million needed annually has been secured through a trust fund established by the UN, according to Human Rights Watch. The exact expenditure to date is unclear, but President Ruto has made it clear that more financial backing is essential to sustain the mission until October of next year.

“When resources are made available, there will be demonstrable progress of the mission,” Ruto asserted. He warned that the current funds could be depleted by March next year, underlining the urgency of the situation. “We have a window of success that is evident from the operations that have been carried out already,” he added, noting that the deployment has already begun to restore hope and stability in certain areas.

Prime Minister Conille urged international partners to fulfill their pledges and send the promised officers to ensure that the Kenyan contingent has the resources it needs to operate effectively. He countered claims that the Kenyan police officers were living in camps like tourists while gangs tightened their grip on Port-au-Prince. “I have personally been on patrol with the Kenyan troops who have engaged in delicate operations in the city center,” he stated, emphasizing their involvement in patrolling critical facilities such as universities, hospitals, and administrative areas.

Last month, the UN Security Council unanimously voted to extend the mission’s mandate for another year, rejecting Haiti’s calls for the operation to be transformed into a traditional UN peacekeeping mission. A UN human rights expert who recently visited Haiti criticized the mission for being inadequately equipped, stating it requires helicopters, night vision goggles, and drones to enhance its effectiveness.

William O’Neil, the UN human rights expert, noted last month that the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), authorized by the UN Security Council in October 2023, has deployed less than a quarter of its planned personnel. This highlights the challenges facing the mission as it strives to bring stability to a nation grappling with escalating violence.

As Kenya continues to advocate for international support, the urgency of the situation in Haiti underscores the need for coordinated global action to address both immediate security concerns and the long-term stability of the Caribbean nation. The call for additional resources is not just about funding; it is about fulfilling a shared commitment to restoring peace and hope for the people of Haiti.