The Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti led by the Kenyan troops has requested additional equipment for their mission in the Caribbean nation.
The request was made by MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge during a meeting with international partners attended by Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille and Canadian Ambassador Francois Giroux.
Also present was the US Ambassador to Haiti Dennis Bruce Hankins and Maria Isabel Salvador (BINUH).
“During the meeting, MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge, SAIG requested for speedy delivery of additional equipment to support the Mission.
“Similarly, the Prime Minister and the Director General of HNP Normil Rameau urged the international partners to further equip HNP, adding that the locals had very high expectations from MSS with the arrival of the Kenyan Contingent,” a statement shared by the National Police Service on Saturday, August 10, 2024, read in part.
Deal to learn French
As part of their efforts to restore peace in Haiti, the Kenyan police officers have struck a deal with the French Government through the International Organization of La Francophonie to offer basic Creole and French language to its personnel.
The outcome of the learning process is a follow-up to the French and Creole languages that were taught in Kenya before deployment.
Speaking after sealing the deal, the mission commander appealed for support from the Haiti citizens to make the mission a success.
The commander also called for close collaboration with other MSS partners to enable the team to achieve its mandate.
“The MSS Kenyan team which is still in its mission deployment phase is already making remarkable progress, supporting their Haitian counterparts in maintaining law and order,” NPS explained.
In 2023, a United Nations Security Council resolution approved the Kenyan-led mission to help tackle violence and restore peace in the mostly gang-controlled nation. But earlier this year the High Court of Kenya ruled against the deployment, saying it was unconstitutional. Issues cited by the court include the lack of a “reciprocal agreement” between the countries.
The Kenyan government eventually secured that agreement.
Speaking at a send-off ceremony President Willam Ruto told police officers departing for Haiti their mission will help lasting peace return to the conflict-ravaged country.
“This mission is one of the most urgent, important and historic in the history of global solidarity. It’s a mission to affirm the universal values of the community of nations and a mission to take a stand for humanity,” Ruto said at the ceremony.
They are expected to restore peace in the country which was majorly dominated by armed gangs.
