Kenya has declared its decision to postpone the deployment of a police mission to Haiti, citing financial constraints and emphasizing the need for funding from the United Nations (UN). This announcement comes as a significant development in the context of international peacekeeping efforts.
The proposed police mission to Haiti was aimed at contributing to stability and security in the region, which has been grappling with various challenges, including political unrest and natural disasters. However, the Kenyan government has underscored the importance of financial support from the UN to facilitate the deployment and sustain the mission’s operations.
#Haiti: Nearly five million are acutely hungry, @UNICEF said, adding the dire situation is “terrorizing children and families and destroying livelihoods amid unprecedented hunger, malnutrition and a resurgent cholera epidemic” ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/uWxAAIzKWC
— UN News (@UN_News_Centre) November 6, 2023
Kenya, known for its active participation in international peacekeeping initiatives, emphasized the need for a commitment from the UN to cover the costs associated with the deployment of its police personnel to Haiti. This includes expenses related to logistics, training, and the overall operational budget.
The decision reflects a broader concern among member states about the financial burden associated with contributing to UN peacekeeping missions. As Kenya seeks assurance of adequate funding, discussions within the UN regarding the equitable distribution of financial responsibilities for such missions are likely to gain prominence.
Officials from Kenya have expressed their commitment to contributing to international peace and security but have stressed the importance of a sustainable and adequately funded mission. The delay in deployment underscores the complexities involved in coordinating multinational efforts to address global challenges.
In a country where security is not a priority for the government, each time you go out, you don’t know if you’re going to be shot at,” said Mario Volcy, a 40-year-old construction worker as he waited for a bus in Port-au-Prince. These guys have machine guns in their hands. They could surprise you by doing something crazy and dumb.
Volcy travels from his hometown of Les Cayes, west of Port-au-Prince, to the capital on public transportation amid fears that he could be killed or kidnapped. He said bus fares have spiked because drivers now must pay gangs a “toll” for safe passage.
More than 1,230 killings and 701 kidnappings were reported across Haiti from July 1 to Sept. 30, more than double the figure reported during the same period last year, according to the U.N, Gangs continue to overwhelm Haiti’s National Police, which remains understaffed and underfunded despite the international community supplying training and resources. In late October, two more police officers were killed, according to a police union, with a total of 32 officers slain so far this year.
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry first requested the immediate deployment of foreign armed forces more than a year ago, but it wasn’t until early October that the U.N. Security Council voted to send a non-U.N. multinational force to Haiti that would be funded by voluntary contributions. But even if the Kenyan forces arrive, it won’t change much, said Pierre Espérance, executive director of the Haitian National Human Rights Defence Network.
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