The United States government is contemplating a dramatic shift in its approach to the beleaguered Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
In a bid to salvage the faltering initiative, the Biden administration is evaluating plans to transition the operation into a traditional United Nations peacekeeping mission, a move that could significantly alter the dynamics of international intervention in the troubled Caribbean nation.
Why it matters:
Such a move, would be a public proclamation of the failures of the Kenyan-led mission, which could complicate the relationship between Kenya and the US.
However, the transition would unlock much-needed capital to purchase weapons and run the mission, which is said to be costing upwards of Ksh25.75 billion every six months. The mission has struggled to attract the necessary funding and resources, leaving it ill-equipped to tackle the complex security challenges in Haiti.
Dig deeper:
Emerging reports from Washington suggest that this reconsideration stems from the mounting difficulties faced by the Kenyan forces on the ground. Despite the deployment of 400 troops two months ago, the mission has struggled to make headway against heavily armed gangs that have plunged Haiti into chaos.
Frustration is growing among the local population, and delays in pay and equipment shortages have severely undermined the morale of the Kenyan police officers, who were initially expected to spearhead efforts to restore order.
According to sources familiar with the matter, according to Florida-based publication Miami Herald, the U.S. State Department has informed lawmakers of its consideration to shift the Kenya-led MSS to a U.N.-managed operation. This potential change would be a response to persistent issues such as inadequate funding and equipment, which have hampered the mission’s effectiveness.
An official from the White House National Security Council told the publication that the administration is exploring options to bolster the mission. “In coordination with partners, the United States is exploring options to bolster the Multinational Security Support mission and ensure the support that the MSS is providing Haitians is sustained long-term and ultimately paves the way to security conditions permitting free and fair elections,” the official stated.
The shift under consideration by the Biden administration is seen as an acknowledgment of the significant hurdles encountered in rallying sufficient voluntary contributions to sustain the Kenyan-led mission.
The bigger picture:
The proposed transformation into a U.N. peacekeeping mission could potentially alleviate some of these issues. A traditional U.N. operation would be funded through contributions from member nations, ensuring a more stable flow of resources. Additionally, the U.N. could provide the mission with critical equipment, including helicopters and medical facilities, which are currently lacking under the Kenyan-led initiative. The U.N. would also have the capability to mobilise military forces from other nations, addressing the manpower shortages that have hampered the current mission.
However, the transition is not without its own set of challenges. A U.N. peacekeeping mission would require the approval of the U.N. Security Council, where geopolitical considerations could come into play. The support of key members like China and Russia is far from guaranteed, and any opposition could derail the proposed overhaul.
In the meantime, the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate. The violence in the capital, Port-au-Prince, has disrupted access to basic services, including healthcare, leading to over 2,500 deaths or injuries in just the first three months of this year, according to U.N. reports.
The Haitian government, alongside its international partners, is banking on the Kenyan-led mission to restore enough stability to hold elections by February 2026—a goal that increasingly seems out of reach….CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ARTICLE>>>
