Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille on Thursday, October 10 arrived in Kenya after one of the deadliest gang attacks in the Caribbean nation was witnessed on Thursday, October 3.
This is after members of the Gran Grif gang stormed the town of Pont-Sonde in the western Artibonite region early Thursday killing at least 70 people, including infants, and forcing over 6,000 residents to flee.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi announced his arrival in the country stating, “It was my honour to receive and warmly welcome H.E. Dr. Garry Conille, Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti, upon his arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for a four-day official visit to Kenya.”
The Haitian PM will seek security assistance in the aftermath of one of the deadliest gang attacks in the Caribbean nation in recent years.
Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille Visits Kenya
PCS Mudavadi stated that during his visit, Prime Minister Conille will engage in high-level bilateral talks with President William Ruto.
He added that the focus will be on strengthening the longstanding ties between Kenya and Haiti, particularly on areas of mutual interest, including security cooperation and fostering partnerships that promote regional stability.
“This visit by H.E. Dr Conille represents a significant moment in the deepening of diplomatic relations between our two countries, with both Kenya and Haiti eager to explore new avenues for collaboration in economic development and security partnerships,” Mudavadi added.
Also Read: UN Security Council Extends Kenya Police Term in Haiti
The massacre that was witnessed in the Carribean Nation caused widespread shock even in a country that has grown accustomed to outbreaks of violence, and where the national police force is outgunned and understaffed.
“As you can see, we are being attacked on several fronts,” Conille said in a press conference before the trip.
Kenya Police in Haiti to Extend Mission with One Year
Last week, the U.N. Security Council authorized another year for an international security force aimed at assisting local police in combating gangs and restoring law and order in Haiti.
However, the mission has seen limited success, with only around 400 predominantly Kenyan police officers currently deployed on the ground, struggling to help Haiti regain stability amid escalating violence.
Also Read: China & Russia Block Kenya’s Mission in Haiti
Conille had earlier said that his visit to Kenya was to discuss how he and President Ruto could expedite the reinforcement of other police officers in Kenya.
“One of the aims of this trip is to go to Kenya to discuss with President Ruto how we can speed up the deployment of remnants of the Kenyan troops as quickly as possible to continue supporting the national police force,” Conille said.
On September 26, Haitian transitional President Edgard Leblanc Fils addressed the UN General Assembly, warning that his country faces an “unprecedented security crisis”.
“Citizens are living in fear of even moving about freely or going to school, particularly around the capital Port-au-Prince,” he said at the General Assembly’s high-level debate, urging continued UN support.
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