Ruto confirms Kenya’s commitment to lead U.N. police force in Haiti

Kenyan President, William Ruto has affirmed Kenya’s unwaving commitment to spearhead a U.N. backed multi national police force aimed at addressing the escalating gang violence crisis in Haiti.

The President made this known in a statement on Wednesday following a briefing from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken regarding the latest developments in Haiti.

“I assured Secretary Blinken that Kenya will take leadership of the U.N. Security Support Mission in Haiti to restore peace and security,” Ruto stated.

This declaration comes amid recent uncertainty surrounding the deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti.

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei had earlier indicated a temporary halt to the deployment of 1,000 Kenyan police until a clear administrative structure is established in Haiti.

The delay was prompted by Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation upon the formation of a presidential council.

Kenya’s involvement in the U.N.-authorised international police force for Haiti was initially agreed upon last October.

However, the plan faced legal setbacks, including a ruling by Haiti’s top court in January deeming it unconstitutional due to a lack of reciprocal agreements between the two nations regarding such deployments.

President Ruto highlighted the recent signing of reciprocal agreements between Kenya and Haiti on March 1 as a crucial step forward, paving the way for the deployment of Kenyan officers to Haiti.

The primary objective of this initiative is to combat the pervasive gang violence that has plagued Haiti for an extended period.

Despite these efforts, Haiti has experienced a surge in violence in recent weeks, marked by attacks on police stations, closure of major international airports, and mass prison breaks resulting in the release of over 4,000 inmates.

The escalating violence has claimed numerous lives, displaced thousands, and severely disrupted essential services, including access to food and water.

Haiti’s Prime Minister had been in Kenya to address deployment plans, has found himself unable to return to his homeland and has remained in Puerto Rico since last week.

Ruto confirms Kenya’s commitment to lead U.N. police force in Haiti

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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