Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-03-01 17:24:21
Haiti’s prime minister, Ariel Henry, is currently in Kenya to discuss a contentious deployment plan amidst a security and political crisis in his country. The Caribbean nation is currently facing a situation where there are no elected representatives in place. Prime Minister Henry, while giving a lecture on Friday (Mar. 1st), reiterated his commitment to organizing elections as he had pledged to do in 2021.
Speaking on the issue, Prime Minister Henry stated, “Because of the violence, we cannot go to elections, and one of the things that we aim is to have elections as soon as possible because we need elections in order to stabilize the country. We need a democratic governance in order to have people to come and invest in Haiti.”
On the same day, Kenyan President William Ruto announced that both countries had signed an agreement regarding the deployment of 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti. Nairobi had previously agreed in October to lead a U.N.-backed international force to Haiti. However, in January, the Kenyan High Court ruled this plan unconstitutional, citing a lack of “reciprocal agreements” between the two countries.
The office of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry noted that he was visiting Kenya at the invitation of President Ruto to finalize modalities for the agreements between the two countries on the deployment of 1,000 Kenyan police officers to Haiti. This move comes in the backdrop of escalating violence in Haiti, where gunmen have targeted various locations including the main international airport and police stations in a surprising wave of violence.
The deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti is seen as a crucial step in restoring security and stability to the nation, which has been grappling with political turmoil and violence. The need for democratic governance and the holding of elections in Haiti is considered essential not only for the stability of the country but also to attract much-needed investments.
The visit of Prime Minister Ariel Henry to Kenya signals a concerted effort by both countries to address the security challenges faced by Haiti and to work towards a sustainable solution. The collaboration between Haiti and Kenya in this regard highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing global security threats and challenges.
In conclusion, the discussions between Haiti and Kenya on the deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti reflect a shared commitment to promoting peace and stability in the region. It is hoped that the agreements reached during this visit will pave the way for enhanced cooperation and coordination between the two countries in addressing the security and political crisis in Haiti.
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