Almost one year after the United Nations approved the deployment of a multinational security mission to Haiti, the future of the Kenya-led operation in the Caribbean country is in doubt. Having met with limited success in combatting gang violence, it's not certain the UN mandate will be renewed next month.
Following multiple delays over the past year, the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission finally landed on Haitian soil in June to reclaim the streets from gangs and set the stage for elections – the first since 2016.
The mission’s mandate – outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 2699 – is to provide operational support to the Haitian National Police to counter gangs, secure infrastructure, and ensure safe access to humanitarian aid.
Nearly 580,000 people have been internally displaced by the conflict, hundreds of thousands who fled the country have been deported back to Haiti, and close to 5 million people are facing severe hunger.
Kenya, which has sent police officers experienced in operations against al-Shabaab at the Kenya-Somalia border is confident in its contribution.
Godfrey Otunge, head of the Multinational Security Support mission, expressed gratitude for the warm reception the Kenyan officers have received since their arrival on 25 June.
"Kenya, as the lead country for the MSS mission in Haiti, is happy with the reception and trust we have received from the local people and the support we have received from various organisations, both local and international," he said at a joint press conference in Port-au-Prince.
"There is no room for failure on our part".
Godfrey Otunge, commander of the Kenyan police force speaks during a press conference at the General Directorate of the Haitian Police (DGPNH) to announce that the Kenyan police forces will collaborate with the Haitian police to fight against armed gangs, in Port au Prince, Haiti, on 8 July, 2024AFP - CLARENS SIFFROY
However, Kenyan officers have been confronting serious challenges as they work to restore order amid the widespread gang violence.
As part of the MSS mission, the officers have been dealing with significant shortages of equipment and resources.
Many of their vehicles lack adequate armour, and some are missing crucial communication radios.
Despite a $369 million (€334 million) contribution from the United States, the UN fund for the mission still falls $220 million (€199 million) short of the $589 million (€533 million) required for the first year.
The estimated cost of the mission is $600 million (€543 million) per year.
Delays in the payment of promised bonuses have further affected morale.
Late last week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for the renewal of the United Nations mandate for the security mission during a visit to Haiti.
"At this critical moment you need more funding, you need more personnel to sustain and carry out the objectives of this mission," Blinken told a press conference in Port-au-Prince.
He said the US – the mission's largest financial backer – plans to convene a ministerial meeting at the UN General Assembly this month, to encourage more financial contributions and renew the mandate.
With just under a month left on the mandate, Kenya remains the only country to have deployed, with around 400 police officers – far short of the 1000 promised.
A handful of other countries – including France, Benin and Canada – have together pledged at least 1,900 more troops, and hundreds of millions of dollars in support.
Accountability Measures
Given the history of abuses in previous foreign interventions in Haiti, accountability also remains a pressing concern.
The UN resolution calls for robust compliance mechanisms to prevent and address violations, but scepticism lingers about their effectiveness.
Kenya’s own track record of police abuses and the lack of clearly defined oversight has raised questions about how the mission will be held accountable for its actions on the ground.
These issues will be under scrutiny when the MSS mandate comes up for renewal on 2 October 2024.
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