On Thursday, November 7, 2024, evening, President William Ruto engaged in a phone conversation with the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken to discuss the fate of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti led by Kenyan police officers.
The two leaders analyzed the option of transitioning the mission into a United Nations Peacekeeping operation to enhance the capability of the mission to help stabilise Haiti.
“I have had a constructive conversation with US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken on the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti. We discussed the transition of the mission into a UN peacekeeping operation to enhance the capability of the mission to help stabilise Haiti. @SecBlinken,” Ruto said.
In a statement from the US Department of State published on Friday, November 8, 2024, Blinken thanked Ruto for Kenya’s continued leadership of the MSS mission to Haiti as it works to restore peace and security to the Haitians.
“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with Kenyan President William Ruto on November 7 to thank him for Kenya’s continued leadership of the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti as it works with its Haitian counterparts to restore peace and security to the Haitian people,”part of the statement from the US Department of State read in parts.
South Sudan’s Peacekeeping
The two leaders also spoke about the Tumaini Peace Initiative and the coordinating efforts to press for expanded humanitarian access, stop the fighting, and establish a process to restore civilian governance.
“The Secretary and President discussed the Tumaini Peace Initiative, and the Secretary emphasized that South Sudanese leaders must take full advantage of these talks in Nairobi in the interest of creating a sustainable peace in South Sudan, they discussed coordinating efforts to press for expanded humanitarian access, stop the fighting, and establish a process to restore civilian governance,” the statement added.
Blinken on Gen Z protests
Further, Blinken urged Ruto to continue engaging the Kenyan public, youths and civil society on policy matters following the Gen Z protests witnessed in June this year.
He also stressed the importance of accountability for security agencies reportedly involved in protest violence and ongoing abductions.
In addition, Blinken reaffirmed America’s support for Kenya’s inclusive and democratic future.
“The Secretary also reiterated the need for continued engagement with the Kenyan public, youth, and civil society following the June-August protests and underscored the importance of full accountability for security forces reportedly involved in protest violence and ongoing abductions.
“The Secretary reaffirmed the close and enduring connection between the peoples of our two nations and reiterated our support for Kenya’s inclusive and democratic future,” the statement from the US Department of State added.
.@SecBlinken spoke with @WilliamsRuto last night. Details in the link below⬇️https://t.co/Ymny3xs7xI
— U.S. Embassy Nairobi (@USEmbassyKenya) November 8, 2024
