Global Rice News

Kenya to Proceed with UN Security Mission to Haiti Despite Legal Setback

In an effort to address the prevalent issue of gang violence in Haiti, Kenya is determined to move forward with a United Nations-approved security mission to the Caribbean nation. Kenyan President William Ruto confirmed that despite a recent court ruling in Nairobi that initially blocked the deployment, Kenya remains committed to the mission. With nearly 5,000 people having lost their lives to gang violence in Haiti last year alone, this international force aims to tackle the crisis head-on. The United States has pledged to provide the initial funding for this mission.

The deployment of the mission faced uncertainty after the Kenyan court deemed it unconstitutional to deploy officers abroad without a reciprocal agreement with the host government. However, President Ruto remains optimistic, asserting that Haiti had requested assistance several months ago and that a formal request is expected soon to satisfy the court’s demands. If all the necessary paperwork is completed between Kenya and Haiti, the mission could potentially commence as early as next week.

Kenya’s decision to participate in this security mission stems from their commitment to humanitarian efforts and previous involvement in international peacekeeping operations. Last July, they pledged 1,000 police officers to the mission, standing in solidarity with Haiti. The Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, and Jamaica have also expressed their willingness to assist, with the United States contributing $200 million to support the deployment.

President Ruto emphasized that the mission is primarily a police operation rather than a military one. The United Nations reported a staggering increase of 119% in gang violence-related deaths in Haiti last year, with a total of 4,789 documented cases. Additionally, an additional 3,000 people were kidnapped. The mission aims to address these critical issues and provide stability and security to the people of Haiti.

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