US Commits to Supporting Haiti’s MSS Mission

By The Weekly Vision Correspondent

The United States has pledged to rally support for the transition of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, following an impassioned plea by President William Ruto. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the United States and Panama had worked with Haiti to introduce a UN Security Council resolution to establish a larger gang-suppression force with a broader mandate, as well as a UN support office for Haiti.

Landau called on all US partners to press for this critical resolution before the MSS mission’s mandate expires on 2 October. “This effort responds to the call from our partners in Kenya and has the full endorsement of Haiti,” he said.

The US official added: “All 32 members of the Organisation of American States have also signed a joint statement calling for the urgent passing of this resolution.” He was speaking during a high-level meeting on Haiti, hosted by Kenya and the United States at the United Nations headquarters in New York, on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly.

Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council President, Laurent Saint-Cyr, and Slovenia’s President, Nataša Pirc Musar, were among those present. Landau said the new force would consist of 5,500 personnel , more than five times the size of the current MSS. He echoed President Ruto’s sentiments that the Kenyan-led mission lacked the mandate and resources needed to address Haiti’s challenges.

At the meeting, President Ruto urged the international community to intensify efforts to restore peace and stability in Haiti. He also called for support in transitioning the Multinational Security Support mission, whose mandate expires in 11 days.

Without a clear transition, the President warned, all the gains made so far would be reversed. “I want to persuade members of the international community to take the matters of Haiti as seriously as they deserve and hopefully provide a transition that will ensure we do not let the people of Haiti down,” he said.

For the successor mission to succeed, President Ruto urged the international community to address the gaps that had slowed progress under the Kenyan-led force. He noted that the MSS had made tremendous progress despite operating at only 40 per cent of its intended strength, owing to unfulfilled commitments and limited resources, and logistics.

The successor mission, he said, must have a clear mandate, a predictable financial package, and full logistical support to deliver results. “It cannot be what Kenya has gone through, a game of guesswork depending on people’s goodwill. It must be predictable if we are serious about solving the matter in Haiti. I don’t understand why we cannot be serious,” he said.

Declaring that the people of Haiti deserve better, President Ruto called for decisive action and lasting solutions. “What is going on in Haiti is unacceptable and indefensible; it is simply wrong,” he said.
The President outlined progress achieved under the MSS, noting that when the mission first arrived, gangs controlled the airport, making it unsafe to land. “Today, the airport is operational, with passenger and cargo flights flying in and out,” he said.

He added that the MSS had secured the presidential palace, reclaimed police headquarters, and the training academy from gangs, and reopened schools and hospitals. They had also cleared blocked routes into most townships where gangs had been charging for access.

“The port had also been captured. Today, the port is operational, with cargo moving in and out, and we have our security personnel stationed there,” he said. President Ruto also honoured the courage and sacrifice of Kenyan police officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty while standing for peace and stability in Haiti.

“We particularly honour three Kenyan officers, Samuel Tomoi Kaetuai, Benedict Kabiru, and Kennedy Nzuve, who lost their lives in the line of duty. May their precious souls rest in eternal peace,” he said.
In a statement issued after the meeting, the US Department of State said solutions must be Haitian-led and internationally supported.

“We call on all UN member states to contribute to this effort. The GSF and UNSOH would provide the tools needed to address Haiti’s immediate security challenges, but enduring recovery depends on Haitian leadership. Haiti must write its own future and work towards building a stable nation.

“The United States stands united with the Haitian people and our international partners in this critical endeavour. Again, the time for action is now.” Separately, during a meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the margins of the 80th UN General Assembly, the premier thanked President Ruto for Kenya’s leadership in the MSS and reiterated Canada’s steadfast support for greater stability and security in Haiti.

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