Overview:
A brand new contingent of 144 Kenyan law enforcement officials arrived in Haiti Thursday, together with three helicopters from El Salvador, to spice up the Multinational Safety Assist (MSS) mission within the struggle in opposition to rising gang violence. Concurrently, the USA clarified that whereas $13 million of assist to the nation was frozen, over $40 million in exemptions have been allotted to the mission and Haitian Nationwide Police (PNH).
PORT-AU-PRINCE — A fourth contingent of 144 Kenyan law enforcement officials, together with 120 males and 24 ladies, landed at Toussaint Louverture Worldwide Airport on Thursday, Feb. 6 as a part of the Multinational Safety Assist (MSS) mission. The mission additionally obtained three helicopters from El Salvador and a much-needed monetary enhance from the USA.
The deployment comes amid escalating gang violence in Kenscoff, the place round 150 folks have been killed in late January, in line with the human rights group Fondasyon Je Klere (FJKL). The newly arrived officers deliver Kenya’s whole deployment in Haiti to 744, a part of its 1,000-force pledge from 2023.
As ordinary, Haitian leaders, together with president of the Transitional Presidential Council Leslie Voltaire, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, MSS chief Godfrey Otunge and overseas diplomats welcomed the Kenyan law enforcement officials.
With the brand new additions, the full variety of MSS members has reached 1,003. The multinational drive consists of police and navy officers from Kenya, Jamaica, Belize, the Bahamas, Guatemala, and El Salvador. Though delayed, this enhance in personnel offers extra strike energy for a mission that has so far struggled to intervene on a number of fronts focused by gangs.
Kenyan Inside Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who introduced the reinforcements for the MSS, emphasised his nation’s dedication to Haiti’s safety.
“Kenya’s management on this noble mission, supported by the United Nations Belief Fund for Haiti, reaffirms our longstanding contribution to peacekeeping operations,” the Kenyan Inside Secretary mentioned.
Otunge assured that the mission stays operational regardless of funding challenges, with ongoing opinions of CASEVAC and MEDEVAC helicopter operations from El Salvador.
U.S. clarifies assist stance, approves $40.7 million exemptions
After quickly freezing $13 million in U.N.-managed assist, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti clarified via X that MSS help had not been absolutely suspended. The State Division authorised $40.7 million in exemptions to help the PNH and MSS operations, overlaying logistics, automobile upkeep, medical providers and tools transportation.
“The $15 million offered to the Particular Objective Fund represents lower than 3% of whole U.S. contributions to the MSS mission,” the embassy said.
The U.S. confirmed latest deliveries of heavy armored tools to strengthen the MSS and PNH’s capability to fight gangs, which management 85% of the capital and proceed to terrorize residents in Kenscoff, Carrefour and Artibonite.
Mission viability assured till September 2025
Kenya’s authorities spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, stated that regardless of the U.S. funding freeze, $85 million of the $110.3 million pledged by worldwide companions had already been contributed to the U.N. Fund, making certain MSS operations till September 2025.
Claims that the freeze would compromise the mission are false and unfounded,” Mwaura mentioned.
Kenya can also be exploring efforts to transition the mission to full U.N. administration whereas persevering with its management position.
Kenscoff bloodbath exposes gang management
FJKL reported that roughly 150 folks have been killed throughout gang assaults in Kenscoff between Jan. 26 and Jan. 27. Greater than 100 homes have been burned and round 3,500 residents displaced.
The inspiration’s nine-page report highlighted the extreme disruption of each day life, with colleges closed and financial actions halted.
The interim municipal fee has taken safety measures, however these haven’t been efficient in pushing again the Viv Ansanm gang coalition.
Kenscoff, a hilly commune roughly 15 miles southeast of Port-au-Prince and a strategic commune since December 2024, has turn into an important route connecting Port-au-Prince to Haiti’s Nice South after gangs disrupted conventional roadways.
The FJKL criticized the federal government and police for downplaying early warnings of the assault.
“The police made false guarantees and did not take preventive measures,” the report mentioned.
As Haiti continues to grapple with gang violence, the reinforcement of the MSS mission offers a glimmer of hope for residents determined for safety and stability.