Kenya has announced a halt to the planned deployment of Kenyan police officers aimed at addressing rising violence in Haiti.
Just 11 days earlier, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry and Kenyan President William Ruto had signed an agreement to expedite the deployment.
This sudden change raises uncertainty about the future of the U.N.-backed multinational mission in Haiti.
Initially, Kenya committed to sending 1,000 officers last July, but legal challenges delayed the process.
Despite an agreement signed on March 1 to address legal concerns, escalating violence and Henry’s resignation have further complicated the situation.
The appointment of a transitional council and temporary leader in Haiti is pending, amidst fragile security in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Kenya’s decision to pause the deployment is awaiting clarity on Haiti’s new leadership. U.S. officials are pushing for swift establishment of the transition council to ensure deployment proceeds.
Haiti has already faced significant internal displacement and deaths this year, exacerbating the urgency for action.
However, even before Henry’s resignation, the Kenyan deployment faced opposition criticism and financial challenges, including upfront payment requests conflicting with U.N. regulations.
The U.S. has pledged significant funding to the mission, but legal and logistical hurdles persist, with potential opposition to deployment from transitional leadership in Haiti.
Concerns and skepticism linger among Haitian communities and observers due to past U.N. interventions marred by crises and controversies.
