The United States has officially informed the United Nations (UN) that it is freezing a portion of the critical funds intended for the multinational peacekeeping mission in Haiti.
Speaking to the press on Tuesday evening, UN Spokesperson Stephane Dujarric confirmed that the U.S. government, under President Donald Trump’s administration, had halted Ksh1.7 billion in funding for the operation.
“We received an official notification from the United States requesting an immediate stop-work order on its financial contributions to the mission,” Dujarric told journalists.
U.S. Suspends Foreign Aid for 90 Days
This decision is part of a broader directive issued by Trump, which includes suspending all foreign aid for a 90-day period. The announcement came just hours after 70 peacekeepers from El Salvador landed in Haiti, joining over 600 Kenyan security personnel already stationed in the troubled Caribbean nation.
In addition to freezing the Kenya-led mission’s funding, Trump also withdrew the U.S. from other UN-backed humanitarian programs, signaling a broader review of America’s financial support for international organizations.
Uncertainty Looms Over the Mission’s Future
The U.S. was the largest financial contributor to the Haiti security mission, which was initially launched in 2023 under former President Joe Biden. Since its inception, the operation has faced numerous challenges, with funding shortages being a major hurdle.
In November last year, the U.S. pushed to transition the Kenya-led force into a fully UN-backed peacekeeping mission. However, with Trump’s latest directive, it remains unclear how this funding freeze will impact ongoing efforts to stabilize Haiti.
The mission was first approved to last for 12 months, with an initial end date set for October 2023. However, due to the worsening security crisis in Haiti, its mandate was extended for another year. Kenyan President William Ruto has since urged the international community to fulfill their financial commitments to ensure the success of the mission.
Ruto Defends Kenya’s Role in Haiti
Speaking at a press briefing in October last year, Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s dedication to restoring stability in Haiti. After meeting with former Haiti Prime Minister Garry Conille in Nairobi, he stated that Kenyan officers had made significant progress in restoring order, securing key infrastructure, and creating safe zones for civilians.
Ruto also praised the professionalism of Kenyan police officers, emphasizing that Kenya’s global peacekeeping efforts played a crucial role in its election to the UN Human Rights Council.
“Kenya and Haiti share a common vision of reforming global institutions to better serve all nations, ensuring a more just and sustainable world,” Ruto said.
Haiti’s Security Crisis Worsens
Despite Ruto’s optimism, the security situation in Haiti has continued to deteriorate. Armed gangs have expanded their influence, taking control of more territories, making it increasingly difficult for the peacekeeping force to maintain stability.
At the same time, the UN is facing difficulties in sustaining the Kenyan security personnel deployed in Haiti. Many officers have reportedly struggled with delays in receiving their payments due to funding shortages.
With Trump’s administration pulling financial support, concerns are growing over the future of the mission and whether the Kenyan-led force will be able to continue its operations effectively.
The situation in Haiti remains fragile, and without adequate international backing, efforts to restore peace could face significant setbacks.
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