Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-03-11 15:51:00
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki made an announcement on Monday, March 11, regarding the proposed Kenyan mission to Haiti, stating that it is currently in the pre-deployment stage. Despite a court-ordered halt to the deployment, the governments of Kenya and Haiti have reached an agreement amidst the turmoil caused by gangs seizing control of various regions in Haiti.
Speaking in Machakos County, Kindiki assured that the court matter had been resolved and the mission was progressing towards deployment. He emphasized that Kenyan troops would be part of a multinational team aimed at restoring order in Haiti, highlighting that this was in line with Kenya’s international obligations. Various programs, including the status of forces agreement and laws on detention and arrest, have been put in place to ensure the success of the mission.
The situation in Haiti worsened, leading to the declaration of a State of Emergency due to increased chaos and violence caused by the gangs. Concerns arose about the safety of Kenyan police officers set to be deployed to Haiti, especially after reports surfaced that some officers were hesitant to participate due to safety and well-being concerns.
President William Ruto reaffirmed the government’s commitment to deploying the officers, having recently signed the agreement with Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry. During a call with American Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Ruto reiterated Kenya’s commitment to sending officers to combat the gangs in Haiti. The United States and the UN have actively supported the deployment, with the US declining plans to send its troops to Haiti and CARICOM working to ensure the dispatch of 1,000 Kenyan officers.
A meeting between CARICOM officials, US, UN, and Canadian envoys discussed strategies to facilitate the deployment and regain the trust of the Haitian people. Guyanese Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo expressed concerns about the deteriorating situation in Haiti, stressing the need for immediate action to address the criminal takeover of the country.
The government remains steadfast in its efforts to fulfill its commitment to deploy officers to Haiti and support international peacekeeping efforts. The collaboration with the US, UN, and other countries demonstrates a unified approach to combatting the challenges in Haiti and restoring stability to the region.
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