China and Russia, both veto-wielding members of the United Nations (UN) Security Council, have opposed the proposal to convert the Kenya-led police mission in Haiti into a UN peacekeeping operation.
The opposition to upgrading the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti by the two nations came on Wednesday, November 19.
During a UN Security Council briefing, the two countries opposed the proposed transformation of the mission, as outlined in a draft resolution submitted by Ecuador and the United States.
According to the media reports, China argued that there is no peace to be reinstated in the Caribbean nation struggling with long-standing gang violence.
Moreover, China instead argued that the Security Council should rather focus on promoting the deployment of forces under MSS and enable it to play its role in restoring peace.
Furthermore, the Russian delegate, while opposing the upgrade of the mission, as quoted in a media report said, “Conditions on the ground in Haiti are not appropriate for UN peacekeeping operations.”
Also Read: What If Trump Ends Kenyan-Led Mission in Haiti?
Russian Delegate Accuse US
At the same time, the Russian delegate accused the United Nations in Haiti as such they warned of making hasty decisions.
“The United States stands with the Haitian people, the Haitian National Police, the MSS mission, including the brave Kenyan, Jamaican, Belizean, and Bahamian forces, in their efforts to restore security,” said Ambassador Dorothy Shea, the US Deputy Representative to the United Nations in a media report.
Further, she added, “As we have heard, the MSS mission and the HNP have managed to help protect residents, help capture weapons and help repel gangs in several areas.”
Consequently, Shea emphasized that the host country’s consent and desire for stability, security and a Haitian-led solution through fair and free elections must be heeded. Similarly, in attendance at the briefing was Kenya’s Security Advisor Monica Juma.
Also Read: Kenyan Police Mission in Haiti Exposed as Gangs Paralyze Operations in Major City
Kenya Spends Ksh2.1 Billion on Haiti Mission
In other news, the government of Kenya has spent Ksh. 2.1 billion on the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti since its initiation.
Despite the assurance that not even a single coin of taxpayers will be channelled into supporting the ongoing peace mission in Haiti, the reports indicate that the promise has been defied instead.
Moreover, a letter from the Treasury to the National Assembly, revealed that the National Treasury spent a total of Ksh.17.6 billion under Article 223, which allows the government to spend funds without parliamentary approval. Ksh.2 billion of this amount, was directed to support Kenya’s peacekeeping mission in Haiti.
This disbursement made on September 18, 2024, has raised grave concerns about the adequacy of funding the mission. Notably, reports have suggested that the Kenyan troops are currently experiencing difficult decisions.
Critics have highlighted the gap between the initial assurance that taxpayer funds would not be used and the actual spending.
“This money we are spending on behalf of the UN, we are the ones making the payment, so the money comes from our exchequer because these are our officers,” Treasury CS John Mbadi clarified in a media report stating that the funds spent by Kenya will be reimbursed by the United Nations.
With the new development from China and Russia on the MSS mission support it remains uncertain whether the foremade promise will be fulfilled.
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