Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has committed to contributing Ksh11.2 billion ($80.5 M) towards the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.
In a conversation with President William Ruto on Wednesday, March 14, Prime Minister Trudeau affirmed his nation’s commitment towards supporting Caribbean Community (CARICOM) members as they prepare to participate in the mission.
The two leaders, according to a statement by the Office of the Canadian Prime Minister, welcomed latest reports about an agreement to form a provisional council and a transitional government.
Coming days after the resignation of Ariel Henry as the Prime Minister of Haiti, Trudeau and Ruto stressed the importance of restoring democratic order in Haiti.
“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,” the statement by the Canadian Prime Minister’s office read in part.
In the discussions, Prime Minister Trudeau expressed his appreciation for Kenya’s leadership of the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission aimed at restoring stability in Haiti.
The Prime Minister and the President discussed the latest developments and shared their deep concerns over the security and humanitarian crises facing the people of Haiti and emphasized the need for additional international partners to step up and provide support for the mission.
Also Read: Uproar as Former US Envoy to Haiti Gives Harsh Truth on Kenya’s Mission
Prime Minister Trudeau and President Ruto also used the opportunity to reaffirm the strong bond between Canada and Kenya and agreed to remain in close contact as the situation evolves.
Ruto’s phone call with Blinken over Haiti mission
Their conversation came hours after President William Ruto made public the details of his phone conversation with United States’ Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
Blinken, according to President Ruto, divulged details of the agreement to form a new Presidential Council to manage the situation in Haiti amid fears that the planned Kenyan-led mission was about to stall.
Ruto equally reassured Blinken that Kenya was ready to lead the MSS despite the hurdles faced both locally and in Haiti.
Also Read: Details of Ruto’s Call with Antony Blinken After Haiti PM Exit
“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 announced.
Pressure has been piling on Kenya and other partners in the planned mission to deploy the police officers in a bid to restore calm in Haiti. In late February, Haiti’s former Prime Minister Henry visited Kenya to formalize the planned deployment that has faced legal hurdles in the past.
After a successful meeting with president Ruto at State House Nairobi, Henry was barred from returning to his country by a gang that took over the streets and the nation’s airport.
On Monday, March 11, the former Henry resigned after giving in to the pressure by the local gangs to plunge the planned mission into uncertainties, with Kenyan authorities stating that it would have to put the mission on hold.
