- The Kenyan-led policing mission's mandate is extended until October 2, 2025, to assist Haitian police.
- Kenya has deployed about 400 personnel, with plans to reach 2,500 by January.
- Funding challenges prompted calls for the mission to become a UN peacekeeping operation.
The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution expressing “deep concern” about the escalating violence, criminal activities, and mass displacement occurring in Haiti. The resolution highlights the grave situation as gang violence continues to wreak havoc across the nation, with the UN reporting that over 3,600 people have been killed this year alone in what they describe as “senseless” acts of violence.
In response to this crisis, the Kenyan-led policing mission aimed at assisting the Haitian national police has had its mandate extended until October 2, 2025. This mission seeks to help reclaim control of areas currently dominated by gangs. While the mission operates with the backing of both the UN and the Haitian government, it is important to note that it is not officially classified as a UN-run force.
Following the initial approval from the Security Council in October 2023, Kenya began deploying its first contingents this summer. Currently, the force consists of approximately 400 personnel, including over a dozen officers from Jamaica and Belize. Kenyan President William Ruto announced last week that the deployment will be completed by January, bringing the total number of personnel to 2,500.
Despite the positive steps taken, the mission faces significant challenges due to a chronic lack of funding. Edgard Leblanc Fils, head of the transitional council governing Haiti, addressed the General Assembly last week, expressing a desire to transform the security support mission into a UN peacekeeping mission. He argued that such a transition would facilitate the necessary funding to address Haiti’s pressing security needs, a sentiment echoed in a recent proposal from Washington.
The original resolution for extending the mission, drafted by the United States and Ecuador, called for planning to transition from the current security deployment to a full UN peacekeeping operation. However, negotiations were fraught, with significant opposition from China and Russia. Ultimately, the adopted resolution did not reference such a transition.
Instead, the final text encourages the Kenyan-led mission to expedite its deployment and calls for additional voluntary contributions to support its efforts. The resolution highlights the need for collaboration and support from the international community to effectively address Haiti’s ongoing crisis.
In a show of solidarity, Guinea, which has been under a junta since a coup in 2021, offered to contribute 650 police officers to the mission. This gesture reflects a growing recognition of the urgent need for enhanced security measures in Haiti as the situation continues to deteriorate.
