Kenya has welcomed the creation of a new United Nations-led mission to tackle gang crime in Haiti, but it is still unclear whether Kenyan police officers currently deployed there will remain part of the operation.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja said on Wednesday, October 1, that the government has not yet received official communication from the National Security Council (NSC) regarding the future of the more than 800 Kenyan officers leading the current Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti.
“We are still waiting for formal direction. Once the NSC gives guidance, we will know the way forward,” Kanja stated.
The new mission — called the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) — was approved under a United Nations Security Council resolution and will replace the Kenya-led MSS, which began operations on January 1, 2024.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenya praised the establishment of the GSF, saying it would address major challenges the MSS faced, such as limited funding, inadequate personnel, and lack of operational resources.
According to the ministry, the GSF will be a larger and more powerful mission, bringing together over 5,500 security officers.
It will work closely with the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the Haitian armed forces to conduct targeted operations against gangs, secure key infrastructure, and ensure safe access for humanitarian aid.
The ministry further noted that unlike the MSS, the new GSF mission — which will initially run for 12 months — will have stronger authority, reliable financial backing, and wider international support, ensuring better protection and support for Kenyan officers.
Quoting President William Ruto’s remarks at the 80th United Nations General Assembly, the ministry said:
“The challenges faced under the MSS proved the urgent need for a stronger and more predictable structure. The GSF now provides that foundation.”
The statement also emphasized that Kenya joined the Haiti mission not for recognition but out of principle — to protect vulnerable communities and uphold global peace and security as mandated by the UN Charter.
The ministry thanked all countries that contributed to or supported the MSS, including Canada, France, Japan, the United States, Algeria, El Salvador, Jamaica, and Barbados.
It also praised the Kenyan-led mission for helping restore peace and allowing the Haitian government to reclaim important facilities previously controlled by gangs.
The ministry added that the Haiti mission proved that Africa is not just a spectator in world affairs, arguing that Kenya’s leadership shows that African nations can lead global action in times of crisis.
It further reiterated the need for Africa to be granted permanent representation on the UN Security Council.
At the same time, the ministry assured Kenyans that the deployment was carried out with careful diplomacy to ensure fair responsibility-sharing and protect both Kenyan personnel and national interests.
Under the new UN resolution, a UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) will be established to provide logistical and operational assistance, including food supplies, medical services, transport, communication, and rotation management for troops.
While the new force will continue to rely on voluntary personnel and financial contributions, its command structure will be reorganized to ensure better coordination and effectiveness.
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