Haiti Mission To Go Ahead Despite Court Ruling: Ruto

Haiti Mission To Go Ahead Despite Court Ruling: Ruto

Haiti Mission To Go Ahead Despite Court Ruling: Ruto

Kenyan President William Ruto told Reuters on Tuesday that his country will proceed with its intentions to head a security mission to Haiti that has been authorized by the United Nations, even though a Nairobi court last week blocked the deployment.The international force, which is expected to be first funded by the United States, is intended to combat the widespread gang violence in the Caribbean country, which claimed almost 5,000 lives last year.

A Kenyan court determined that it would be unlawful to send police abroad unless a “reciprocal arrangement” was in place with the host government, casting doubt on the mission.Ruto stated that Haiti had requested assistance months prior, and he anticipated a request meeting the court’s requirements would be made soon.

“So that mission can go ahead as soon as next week if all the paperwork is done between Kenya and Haiti on the bilateral route that has been suggested by the court,” Ruto said following an Italian-Africa summit in Rome.Asked if discussions were underway with Haiti to get the necessary request, Ruto said: “Absolutely. Haiti have actually written formally, not today, several months ago.”

When gang violence in Haiti erupted in 2022, the country looked for assistance for the first time, but it was unsuccessful in finding a leader since many foreign governments were reluctant to back the unelected government in the impoverished nation.Kenya, a country with a long history of participating in international peacekeeping missions, said in July that it was sending 1,000 police personnel to support a fellow country.

Following the announcement that the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, and Jamaica would assist, the US promised to provide $200 million to launch the deployment.The goal is being pursued. Emphasizing that the mission was a police, not a military operation, Ruto stated, “The mission is a bigger calling to humanity.”

The United Nations said last week that it had documented 4,789 people killed by gang violence in Haiti last year, an increase of 119% from 2022, and that another 3,000 people had been kidnapped.