President William Ruto has called out the international community for failing to provide adequate support for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, with less than two weeks left before Kenya’s mandate in the Caribbean nation expires.
Speaking during the High-Level Meeting on Haiti in New York on Monday, Ruto warned that Kenya would only send an additional team if the mission’s mandate was clear and backed by predictable resources under the auspices of the international community and the United Nations Security Council.
“If we are sending an additional team, the mandate must be clear. We must also have a predictable resource package. It cannot be what Kenya has been through, which is a game of guesswork, if we are serious about solving the matter of Haiti,” he said.
The President disclosed that Kenya’s plan to set up 12 new forward operating bases stalled due to logistical setbacks, enabling gangs to reclaim some previously secured territories.
Slammed Gangs
The Head of State also launched a scathing attack on the gangs of Haiti during his speech, terming them as cowards who resorted to guerrilla warfare tactics following the coordinated security operations that the MSS has continued to wage against them.
He insisted that Haitians deserved more from the global community, noting that only strong logistical support would guarantee the mission’s success.
“The international community must stand up for the people of Haiti. The gangs, in my opinion, are cowards who have literally gone into hiding, often resurfacing with guerrilla warfare tactics,” Ruto added.
Transition to New Mandate
With the reports that the United States is pushing to double the size of the foreign forces deployed up to over 5,000 officers, with the possibility of shifting overall command away from Kenya, Ruto maintained that caution must be taken during the change.
He further emphasised the need for a proper transition framework to avoid abandoning Haitians midway through the mission.
According to Ruto, drawing from over 46 peace missions that the country has actively been involved in, Kenya will not shy away from contributing additional troops and remaining a critical part of the mission.
Previously, on September 7, President Ruto urged the United Nations Security Council to provide clear guidance on the future of the Kenya-led MSS Mission in Haiti, as its mandate approaches expiry amid reports of possible leadership changes.
Speaking in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the sidelines of the Second Africa-CARICOM Summit, Ruto confirmed that discussions on the future of the mission were ongoing but emphasised Kenya’s commitment to global peacekeeping efforts.
He stated that the security crisis in Haiti required urgent international support and a smooth transition process.
