Kenya’s decision to deploy police officers to Haiti as part of an international mission will hinge on the outcome of a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) vote scheduled for Monday.
The UNSC is poised to vote on a United States-backed resolution that seeks to authorize the deployment of a multinational force to address ongoing security challenges in Haiti.
The US-drafted resolution acknowledges Kenya’s offer to lead this multinational force in combating criminal gangs that have plagued Haiti since 2021, with the goal of restoring security in the country. Importantly, the resolution specifies that this force will operate as a non-UN entity, funded through voluntary contributions.
The United States has already committed to supporting Kenya in this mission with a pledge of $100 million (approximately Sh14.7 billion). If the resolution is adopted, Kenya will send at least 1,000 police officers selected from various formations within the national police service.
Under the terms of the resolution, the multinational force would be authorized for a duration of one year, with a mandatory review after nine months.
Haiti has faced escalating criminal activities, human rights abuses, and security challenges, which have undermined peace, stability, and security in the country and the wider region. These issues include sexual and gender-based violence, kidnappings, human trafficking, murders, extrajudicial killings, and arms smuggling.
The UNSC, comprising five permanent members (China, the US, France, the UK, and Russia) and 10 non-permanent members, will cast their votes on this critical resolution. Each member has one vote, and decisions on most matters require an affirmative vote from nine members, including the concurring votes of the permanent members.
While addressing the 78th edition of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, US President Joe Biden expressed the urgent need for the international community to take action in addressing global issues, including the situation in Haiti. He specifically thanked Kenyan President William Ruto for Kenya’s willingness to lead the UN-backed security support system for Haiti.
Biden emphasized the importance of the UN Security Council authorizing the mission to Haiti, asserting that the people of Haiti could not wait any longer for assistance.
Kenya has already conducted an assessment mission to Haiti, and preparations are underway for the potential deployment of police officers, including the recruitment, training, equipping, funding, and dispatching of the team to Haiti.
