Kenya’s Ruto visits Haiti to evaluate police mission amid ongoing violence

Sponsored Ad

Kenyan President William Ruto arrived in Port-au-Prince to assess a Kenya-led police mission aimed at addressing violence in Haiti. This visit follows warnings from a United Nations expert about escalating insecurity in the country. Ruto's agenda includes commending the Kenyan police contingent and meeting Haiti’s transitional presidential council.

Approximately three months ago, Kenyan officers were deployed to Haiti as part of a UN-backed multinational mission to combat gang violence. Despite these efforts, armed groups reportedly control around 80 percent of Port-au-Prince, contributing to a humanitarian crisis that has displaced over 578,000 individuals, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

William O’Neill, a UN human rights expert, noted that the mission has deployed less than a quarter of its intended force, with concerns about inadequate resources. The Kenyan police force's ability to support the Haitian National Police is also under scrutiny, as they lack sufficient logistical capacity to confront gangs effectively.

The mission's mandate is set to expire in early October, raising questions about future actions. The United States is actively seeking additional funding and support for the mission, with plans for discussions at the upcoming UN General Assembly. Haitian civil society groups emphasize that while security assistance is necessary, it cannot address the underlying systemic issues affecting the nation.