Kenya on standby as US fundraises for Haiti mission

A man rides a motorbike carrying people and their belongings along a street in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on March 12, 2024. PHOTO | REUTERS

Summary:

  • The US increases funding for the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti, while Kenya reaffirms its commitment to deploy personnel. Amid Haiti’s political transition, the US pledges $300 million, with Kenya’s role pending establishment of a Presidential Council. The US also plans to reimburse Kenya for training expenses.

The United States has announced an increase in funding for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, while Kenya has reaffirmed its readiness to deploy personnel. Following Kenya’s decision to postpone sending around 1,000 police officers to Haiti in light of Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s resignation, the US engaged Nairobi for further assurances.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken contacted President William Ruto for the second time in a week to discuss the deployment. President Ruto shared on X, formerly Twitter, that Blinken briefed him on the decision of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Summit regarding Haiti’s political situation.

President Ruto stated, “Secretary Blinken briefed me on the decision of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) Summit and the US, together with other partners, on the political situation in Haiti,” on X, formerly Twitter.

He added, “He informed me that a new Presidential Council will soon be formed to deal with the situation in Haiti. I assured Secretary Blinken that Kenya will lead the UN Security Support Mission in Haiti to restore peace and security in Haiti once the Presidential Council is in place through an agreed process.”

Despite Prime Minister Henry’s resignation, Haiti remains in a transitional phase, with Finance Minister Michel Boisvert serving as interim prime minister until a presidential council is established. Amid these developments, the US has announced an increase in funding for the MSS, raising its total to $300 million.

A senior State Department official disclosed that $200 million will come from the Department of Defense, with an additional $100 million from the State Department. The US has also allocated an extra $33 million in humanitarian assistance for the people of Haiti.

While the specifics regarding payment for the Kenyan troops remain unclear, the State Department official hinted that some funds might be allocated for salaries and other compensation. Additionally, the US plans to reimburse Kenya for training expenses.

The MSS mission’s funding will rely on a broader pool of donations, predominantly through a UN trust fund. The modalities of this trust fund, including the possibility of pre-funding costs for contributing nations, are still under discussion.

The US has outlined criteria for the Presidential Council, which will exclude individuals sanctioned for human rights violations or other crimes, as well as gang leaders, presidential candidates in the forthcoming elections, and those opposing the MSS. This stance effectively excludes many of the influential figures contributing to unrest in Haiti.