President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in Haiti during a high-level meeting with Laurent Saint-Cyr, President of the Transitional Presidential Council of Haiti.
The talks were held on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
The two leaders held discussions focused on the security situation in Haiti, particularly the next steps in light of the impending expiry of the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) a UN-authorized force deployed to help restore law and order in the crisis-hit Caribbean nation.
President Ruto emphasized the urgent need for the United Nations Security Council to adopt a clear and coordinated strategy for a successor mission to the MSSM in order to consolidate the gains made so far and ensure long-term impact.
“We urged that the UN Security Council adopt a clear strategy for the successor mission to the MSS Mission in Haiti, in order to consolidate gains made, and guarantee success,” President Ruto said.
He stressed that the proposed mission must be designed to overcome the shortcomings of the current operation and must be built on strong operational foundations.
“The successor mission should be anchored on a clear mandate, backed by predictable and reliable resources, equipped with adequate and fit-for-purpose tools, and supported by the full logistical capacity required to deliver results,” he added.
President Ruto reiterated Kenya’s unwavering commitment to the Haitian people, noting that Kenya stands ready to facilitate a smooth transition between missions.
He affirmed that Kenya’s engagement is based on solidarity, a sense of shared humanity, and a belief in the right of every nation to peace and stability.
“Our commitment is firm: to walk with the people of Haiti in their efforts to restore stability and bring lasting peace to their motherland,” President Ruto declared.
The meeting follows months of collaboration between Kenya and Haiti under the framework of the MSSM, which Kenya volunteered to lead in 2023, with the support of the UN Security Council and several partner countries.
The mission was deployed in response to escalating gang violence, political instability, and a humanitarian crisis that continues to affect millions in Haiti.
Kenya’s leadership in the mission was seen as a landmark move, marking one of the few times an African country has taken a lead role in stabilizing a crisis outside the continent under a UN mandate.
As the mandate of the MSSM draws to a close, discussions at the 80th UNGA are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of international support to Haiti.
The successor mission will be critical in ensuring continuity, institutional strengthening, and sustained peacebuilding efforts.
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