Title: “The suspension of the deployment of Kenyan police officers in Haiti extended: A controversial decision”
Introduction :
In Kenya, a court recently decided to extend the suspension of the deployment of a thousand Kenyan police officers to Haiti, as part of a mission supported by the UN. This decision follows a legal challenge from the Kenyan opposition, which considers this deployment to be unconstitutional. In this article, we will return to the reasons for this suspension and the various arguments put forward by the parties concerned.
1. Context of the deployment of Kenyan police officers in Haiti:
Earlier this month, the UN Security Council agreed to the deployment of a multinational force in Haiti, with the aim of combating criminal gangs plaguing the country. Kenya was chosen to lead this mission, and planned to send a thousand police officers to support this operation.
2. Opposition and legal challenge:
However, as soon as this deployment was announced, the Kenyan opposition, represented by the Thirdway Alliance party, took legal action to challenge this decision. According to them, this deployment is unconstitutional and violates the rights of citizens. The Kenyan court then granted the different parties 15 days to present their arguments.
3. Arguments in favor of suspension:
The plaintiffs and the attorney general have already made their remarks, which support the suspension of the deployment. According to them, the court’s orders are not respected, since there are already Kenyan police officers present in Haiti for reconnaissance, or even training. They also believe that the question of the deployment of police forces is a matter for Parliament rather than justice.
4. Maintenance of the suspension by the judge:
Despite the arguments put forward, Judge Enock Mwita decided to maintain the suspension of the Kenyan deployment in Haiti, saying that the court was seized of the matter before any other jurisdiction and that it must maintain its orders. A new hearing is scheduled for November 9, where the case will be tried in more detail.
Conclusion :
The extension of the suspension of the deployment of Kenyan police officers in Haiti raises many questions about the legality of this UN-supported mission. While some argue in favor of this deployment to combat gang violence in Haiti, the Kenyan opposition considers it to be against the Constitution. We will have to wait for the next hearing to know if this suspension will be maintained or if the deployment can finally take place.