The Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) in Haiti has been given a significant boost, despite recent challenges.
Communication from the office of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs dated Wednesday, February 5, has indicated that the mission has received reassurance of continued funding and operational support.
This follows a recent decision by the United States (US) to pause its contributions to the UN Trust Fund for the mission.
Despite concerns that the withdrawal of US funds could jeopardize the mission’s future, Kenya, alongside other participating countries, has been assured that sufficient resources will be available to sustain the peacekeeping operations in Haiti.
“Indeed it is true that the U.S. contribution to the UN Trust Fund for MSS Haiti was recently paused as communicated by the UN Secretary General’s office. Notably, the pause will affect about Ksh129 million ($15M) in support of the MSS mission,” the statement read in part.
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Kenya Assured of $110 Million
According to the ministry’s Cs Musalia Mudavadi, Ksh14.7 Trillion ($110 million) in funding is now secured from a group of donor nations to maintain the mission’s operations.
Earlier, the ministry stated that the funds at hand would be able to support the mission until the end of September 2025.
“While a portion of the undisbursed US contribution amounting to $15 million has been temporarily held due to the US presidential directive, the Fund remains well-resourced to support the mission until the end of September 2025.”
“Kenya and its partners remain fully committed to ensuring the mission transitions to a full UN-led operation to guarantee its long-term financial sustainability and security mandate,” stated the ministry at the time.
The MSSM, approved by the United Nations Security Council on October 2, 2023, was deployed to Haiti in response to the escalating civil strife and gang violence that has plagued the country since 2018.
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About the Haiti Mission
Moreover, the mission, which includes both police and military personnel from Kenya, Jamaica, Belize, the Bahamas, Guatemala, and El Salvador, has played a vital role in supporting the Haitian National Police, combating criminal gangs, and providing humanitarian assistance to those in need.
Haiti has been grappling with severe instability, marked by rampant gang violence, political turmoil, and a humanitarian crisis.
Consequently, the United Nations and international partners mobilized to assist Haiti in overcoming these challenges, and the MSSM has been pivotal in efforts to stabilize the country.
In addition to providing security and policing support, the mission has been instrumental in facilitating the delivery of essential services to communities caught in the violence.
The funding uncertainty caused by the US pause in contributions had raised concerns about the mission’s viability.
However, the government has indicated that with $110 million still secured from the UN Trust Fund and contributions from other donor nations, Kenya and its partners are assured that the mission will continue to operate as planned.
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