Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday, March 13 discussed with President William Ruto the escalating chaos in Haiti following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
During the meeting, the two leaders noted that multinational support was needed to end the chaos in the war-torn country.
The two leaders lauded the political agreement struck between the coalition of Caribbean nations and other stakeholders including Western governments.
To help deal with the escalating chaos and gang takeover in the Caribbean nation, Trudeau promised that Canada would support the Kenya-led mission with Ksh8.2 billion ($80.5 million).
"Prime Minister Trudeau highlighted that Canada will contribute $80.5 million to the MSS mission and noted Canada’s ongoing efforts to support Caribbean Community (CARICOM) members as they prepare to participate in the mission," read part of the statement issued by the Prime Minister.
Besides the financial support, the Prime Minister noted that it was key for other international partners to provide much-needed support, especially by deploying officers to quell the chaos and protect the Haitian people.
This funding came barely three days after the US also offered an extra Ksh14 billion to all soldiers going to Haiti.
In a statement issued by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken on Monday, March 11, the US government explained that the added funding was going to facilitate the deployment of the multinational force.
The deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti has been met with numerous hurdles from court rulings to the resignation of the Haitian Prime Minister on Monday.
However, despite the challenges, President Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki have emphasised that the mission is still on.
On Wednesday, Ruto affirmed that the deployment of the police officers was still underway.
In a phone call with Secretary Blinken Ruto, Ruto reiterated that Kenya was committed to leading the mission.
" I assured Secretary Blinken that Kenya will take leadership of the UN Security Support Mission in Haiti to restore peace and security in Haiti as soon as the Presidential Council is in place under an agreed process," Ruto added.
Meanwhile, in Haiti, the locals are hopeful that the mission will culminate in peace.
