The United States has dropped a plan to have the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) in Haiti, led by Kenyan police, transformed into a formal United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operation.
It is reported that the U.S. and Ecuador could not secure support from China and Russia, hence the push to transition the mission into a UN peacekeeping operation has been removed from the latest draft resolution.
The U.S. and Ecuador will now seek only a one-year renewal of the mission’s mandate, which the UN Security Council will vote on Monday, September 30, 2024. If approved, the multinational force would be extended until October 2025.
Russia and China had opposed the inclusion of the option to transition the MSSM in Haiti into a UN peacekeeping operation during negotiations that began earlier this month.
The two countries repeatedly rejected the proposal, asking the Security Council to avoid planning or considering the transition of the security mission.
Instead, the latest proposal asks for the mission’s mandate, which expires on Wednesday, to be extended for one year.
Additionally, the proposal directs the mission to accelerate the deployment of police officers and urges the international community to increase voluntary contributions.
There has been a delay in the deployment of up to 2,500 security personnel due to a lack of financial support for the mission.
This has greatly affected its ability to assist the Haiti National Police (HNP) in combating armed gangs. So far, Kenya has sent 400 police officers to Haiti, while Jamaica has deployed 20 soldiers and four police officers.
Also Read: UN Security Council Extends Kenya Police Term in Haiti
Ruto on Haiti Mission
President William Ruto announced that Kenya is ready for the MSSM in Haiti to be converted into a full UN peacekeeping operation.
Speaking in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on September 22, Ruto said Kenya would support the transition if the UN Security Council approved it.
“On the suggestion to transition this into a full UN peacekeeping mission, we have absolutely no problem with it if that is the direction the UN Security Council wants to take,” Ruto said.
Also Read: Ruto Speaks on Next Police Deployment to Haiti at UNGA [Full Speech]
Ruto also committed to deploying 600 more police officers to the MSSM in Haiti to further support the mission and expedite Haiti’s transition to peace and stability.
“Our next batch, an additional 600, is undergoing redeployment training. We will be mission-ready in a few weeks’ time and look forward to the requisite support to enable their deployment,” he said.
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