UNSC extends Kenya's Haiti-led security mission by one year

Nairobi, 

Saturday, 28 September, 2024 

McCreadie Andias 

The UN Security Council has extended the Kenya-led Haiti peacekeeping mission by one year to October 2025,citing security concerns. 

The move is in accordance with Chapter VII of the UN Charter. 

The extension follows calls by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi for more time to fully deploy the planned 2,500 officers.

Mudavadi had emphasised the need for additional troops to combat the influence of gangs that have crippled local governance and deepened Haiti’s security crisis.

“I emphasized that with only 410 officers currently deployed out of the planned 2,500, there is a limit to what can be achieved. I called on the Security Council to consider extending the Mission for another year, enabling the full deployment necessary to accomplish its mandate,” he urged.

Mudavadi however commended efforts of the 410 dedicated officers stating that they have made good progress in securing the Country’s critical infrastructure, including the international airport, the national hospital, and the main seaport in Port-au-Prince.

“In its first 100 days, the Mission has made significant strides in securing critical infrastructure. These efforts have been instrumental in enhancing public safety and stability,” he said. 

According to the UN, the extension move will allow the mission more time to enhance stability in the criminal gang raved country while it also provides space to conduct free and fair elections. 

During his adress to the 79th UNGA summit, President William Ruto stood firm with his commitment to support Haiti's stability. 

Ruto called for more collaborative support into the security mission in terms of logistics, equipment, and funding,from diplomatic partners. 

The international community’s response has been mixed. While the United States recently announced an additional $160 million in aid for Haiti, raising its total assistance to $1.3 billion since 2021, there remains uncertainty over long-term funding.

This comes as Kenya is already planning to send another batch of 600 police officers in Haiti on January 2025.

However, the mission’s future structure is now under scrutiny. A US-backed proposal seeks to transform the MSS deployment into a full-fledged UN peacekeeping operation. The draft resolution is expected to be debated on Monday, with the outcome potentially shifting the mission’s mandate and funding structure.

The proposal to transform the MSS into a UN-mandated mission is aimed at securing a stable financial base, but faces resistance in the Security Council, where China and Russia hold veto power.

During his recent visit to Haiti President William Ruto said he supported turning the current Kenya-led security mission into a full United Nations peacekeeping operation.

“There are many people who thought Haiti was mission impossible, but today they have changed their minds because of the progress you have made. 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 rto the requisite support to enable their deployment,” he said.

However the President urged that the focus of the expansion must remain on stabilising Haiti, regardless of what form the mission takes.

“Whichever way we go, so long as we deploy the requisite personnel on the ground, mobilise resources necessary, the logistics that are needed for us to do the job in Haiti, my position is that we must focus on making sure that within a year, we see results,” Ruto said on an interview in VOA.

Meanwhile, Officers have been conducting Joint patrols with the Haitian National Police in key areas of Port-au-Prince, including downtown, which has significantly bolstered the protection of civilians.