Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille has praised the initial performance of the Kenyan police officers deployed to Haiti, describing their arrival as a “new era” for the country’s security.
In his address to the U.N. Security Council, Conille emphasized the crucial role of the Kenyan police in combating gangs and facilitating the transition towards democratic elections in Haiti.
“The arrival of the first contingent of the Multinational Security Support kicks off a new era in Haiti,” said Conille.
The new Prime Minister also said that apart from addressing gang violence, his government would focus on improving food security and rebuilding public trust in the police.
The deployment of the Kenyan police marks a significant shift in Haiti’s security landscape, with the international community rallying behind the country’s efforts to combat the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by gang violence.
Through the UN backed Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) Haiti anticipates a total of 1,000 Kenyan officers to join the international police force, with additional contingents from countries like the Bahamas, Bangladesh, and Jamaica to follow suit.
Haiti Peace Keeping Mission Funding Crisis
However, the MSS mission is threatened by inadequate funding which according to Reuters has lagged far behind requirements.
The United Nations Intergrated Office in Haiti (BINUH noted that without adequate funding, the mission would be unable to complete the 12-month deployment, whose mandate ends in October.
Speaking during the UN Security Council meeting Dominican Republic’s Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez made an urgent appeal to all countries that have committed funding to the MSS to fulfill their pledges and to deposit those funds as soon as possible.
Notably, the United States pledged $309 million to the police mission, the largest contribution of any country. However, reports indicate that the funding is yet to arrive.
Kenyan Police Arrive in Haiti
On June 25, over 200 Kenyan Police landed in the nation’s capital of Port-au-Prince, marking the first contingent
Videos of Kenyan police disembarking from a plane at the airport made rounds on social media and shortly after US President Joe Biden confirmed the arrival of the contingent.
“Today, with strong support from the United States, Kenyan forces part of the Multinational Security Support mission arrived in Haiti, beginning an effort that will bring much needed relief to Haitians,” said Biden in a statement.
Prior to their arrival, Prime Minister Garry Conille had earlier issued a statement on June 24, hailing Kenya for the support.
“The Government and the Haitian people hope this multinational mission will be the last one to help the county stabilize so it can renew its political personnel and return to an effective democracy,” Conille wrote on X.
Remarks Made in the UN Security Council Meeting
Kenyan U.N. Ambassador Njambi Kinyungu revealed that since their arrival the Kenyan police unit had engaged in operational meetings with the local police force and commenced joint missions to fulfill their mandate.
Also Read: Haiti Prime Minister Reveals Kenyan Police Battle Plan Against Gangs
Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille also stressed the importance of redefining Haiti’s institutional framework and ensuring effective governance even after the international police force departs.
“More than ever Haiti must mobilize all the necessary and available resources to make this transition the last one, a transition that could set it on the path toward peace, security and sustainable development,” Conille told the council.
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