Kenya’s President Open to Turning Haiti Anti-Gang Mission into U.N. Peacekeeping Operation

Kenyan President William Ruto indicated his openness to converting Kenya’s anti-gang mission in Haiti into a U.N. peacekeeping operation. This comes as the U.N. Security Council considers extending the mandate of the Multinational Security Support mission amid Haiti's escalating violence.

President Ruto Evaluates Haiti's MSS Mission, Open to Extending It as a U.N. Peacekeeping Force

On September 21, Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his willingness to consider possibly converting Kenya's anti-gang mission in Haiti into a comprehensive U.N. peacekeeping operation.

Ruto visited Haiti to evaluate the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission's progress, in which Kenya is playing a prominent role in reducing the rampant gang violence that has caused years of political chaos and mass displacement.

The 12-month mandate of the MSS mission, initially authorized by the United Nations Security Council, is scheduled to expire at the beginning of October.

Reuters reported earlier this month that the Council has commenced drafting a resolution to extend the MSS mandate and request that the U.N. develop a plan to make it a formal peacekeeping mission.

"On the suggestion to transit this into a fully U.N. Peacekeeping mission, we have absolutely no problem with it, if that is the direction the U.N. security council wants to take," Ruto said on Saturday in Port-au-Prince.

U.S. and Ecuador Push to Extend Haiti's MSS Mission as U.N. Considers Transition to Peacekeeping

The United States and Ecuador disseminated a draft text that would extend the MSS mandate for an additional 12 months and request that the U.N. commence the planning process to transition the MSS mission to a U.N. peacekeeping operation, per Reuters.

The mandate renewal is scheduled for a vote by the 15-member Council on September 30.

Following the Security Council's approval of the MSS mission, Kenya dispatched approximately 400 police officers to Port-au-Prince in June and July instead of the anticipated 1,000. A few other countries have pledged a minimum of 1,900 additional personnel.

Nevertheless, the MSS mission's effectiveness has been questioned due to delays in deploying essential equipment and workforce to combat potent gangs.

The situation in Haiti has deteriorated, according to the United Nations' expert on human rights, who stated on September 20 that approximately 700,000 individuals are currently internally displaced.