In a context marked by the rise in violence and tensions in Haiti, the visit of Haitian Prime Minister Gary Conille to Kenya is of crucial importance. During his meeting with President William Ruto, discussions focused on the Multinational Security Support Mission, which has seen nearly 400 Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti to combat gang-related violence.
Gary Conille expressed his desire to strengthen the multinational security mission under the auspices of the United Nations, whose mandate was recently extended. This mission is all the more crucial in the face of recent tragic events in Haiti, including the massacres in Pont-Sondé, which resulted in the loss of 115 lives and left many others injured.
During his visit to Port-au-Prince last month, William Ruto had committed to sending 600 Kenyan police officers to Haiti by January. However, significant financial and logistical challenges stand in the way of this mission. The allocated budget is $600 million, but to date, only the United States has provided $380 million, while Canada and other countries have contributed $85 million.
The funding shortage has prompted Washington and Ecuador to advocate for the transformation of the mission into a UN peacekeeping mission. These developments underscore the urgency of the situation in Haiti and the need for a coordinated international response to address the security challenges facing the country.
In light of these events, it is imperative for the international community to continue supporting Haiti in its efforts to restore peace and stability. Cooperation among partner countries, including Kenya, is essential to strengthen security capacities and effectively address the threats facing the Haitian population.