The Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission to Haiti has revealed that the Bahamas, Jamaicans, and the Bélize have agreed to deploy Police Continents in Haiti.
The Police officers are expected to join the Kenya Police in Carribean nation before the end September 2024.
In a statement on Sunday, September 8, MSS said the Kenya Force Commander Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Godfrey Otunge stated that the move will give the MSS mission a multinational face that has been lacking.
“Otunge revealed that the Bahamas, Jamaicans, and the Bélize are expected to send their advance contingents before the end of this month,” reads the MSS statement in part.
“He pointed out that this will give the MSS mission a multinational face that has been lacking, hence making MSS to be seen as a Kenyan mission.”
Godfrey Otunge acknowledged shortcomings stating that there is a need for the creation of Forward Operating Bases (FOB), which will be instrumental in holding already pacified and retaken areas from gangs and government infrastructure.
Challenges the Mission is Facing
One of the major issues the mission faces is limited manpower and the challenges of working in a new environment.
Also Read: Why US Wants Kenyan-Led Police Mission in Haiti Replaced
Otunge highlighted that the mission is still in its deployment phase, with the primary focus being resource mobilization, personnel training, and induction.
The mission’s funding and logistical shortfalls have garnered significant attention.
Although additional equipment has arrived, the mission still lacks essential resources, such as helicopters, which are critical for surveillance and rescue operations in Haiti’s challenging urban terrain.
Otunge emphasized the importance of air support for both tactical operations and emergency response, noting that helicopters would enable the mission to bypass gang barricades and rescue trapped personnel or civilians.
On his part, United Nations (UN) Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenča hailed and appreciated Kenya for making a bold move to lead and send her troops to Haiti.
He pointed out that despite MSS being in the deployment phase, its achievements were impressive and called on other contributing countries that are yet to deploy their troops to the theatre to fast-track the process.
Also Read: Challenges Kenya Police Officers Are Facing in Haiti
Proposed UN Peacekeeping Could Replace Kenya Police in Haiti
This comes following reports that the United States (US) plans to replace Kenya Police in Haiti with a peacekeeping operation led by the United Nations (UN).
The US and Ecuador on Friday, September 6 circulated a draft resolution asking the UN to begin planning for a peacekeeping operation to replace the Kenya-led mission, as reported by The Associated Press.
The proposed Security Council resolution by the two countries says that UN peacekeepers are needed “in order to sustain the gains” made by the Kenyan police in collaboration with the Haitian National Police (HNP).
Furthermore, the multinational character of the MSS has occasionally been overshadowed by the perception that it is primarily a Kenyan force.
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