DURING a visit to Haiti on Saturday, Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his openness to Kenya’s anti-gang mission evolving into a full United Nations peacekeeping operation. Ruto was in Haiti to assess the progress of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, in which Kenya plays a key role in combating the country’s rampant gang violence, which has fuelled political instability and mass displacement.
MSS mission and its future
The MSS mission, initially approved by the United Nations Security Council for 12 months, is set to expire in early October. The mission was created to help restore order in Haiti, a country long troubled by gang violence and political chaos. Kenya leads the effort, with around 400 police officers already deployed in Port-au-Prince, with plans to increase the total number to 1,000.
Ruto stated his support for the transition of the MSS mission to a formal UN peacekeeping operation if that is the preferred direction of the UN Security Council. ‘We have absolutely no problem with it if that is the direction the UN Security Council wants to take,’ Ruto said during his visit to Port-au-Prince.
Extending the MSS mandate
The United States and Ecuador have proposed a draft resolution to extend the MSS mandate for another 12 months. They have also called for the UN to begin planning the transition of the mission into a peacekeeping force. A vote on this mandate extension is scheduled for September 30.
Challenges facing the mission
While several countries have pledged an additional 1,900 troops to the mission, the MSS effort has faced delays in deploying crucial manpower and equipment needed to counter the powerful gangs operating in Haiti. The situation in the country remains dire, with over 700,000 people now internally displaced, according to a UN human rights expert.
The MSS mission’s effectiveness has been questioned due to these delays, but with potential UN backing, the hope is that a fully-fledged peacekeeping operation could bring more stability to Haiti.
Kenya remains committed to its role in stabilising Haiti, with President Ruto signalling his willingness to see the MSS mission transition into a UN peacekeeping operation. As the situation in Haiti continues to worsen, the international community’s response in the coming weeks will be crucial.
