Kenya welcomes UN Security Council's resolution for deployment of forces in Haiti

NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenya's President William Ruto has welcomed the resolution by the United Nations Security Council to order the deployment of mission forces to Haiti, a Central American nation that is facing a number of security challenges mainly triggered by armed gangs.

In a pre-recorded video shared to local media houses, President Ruto said that the "mission is of special significance and critical urgency" adding that it is an overdue and critical instrument to define the multinational mission.

"The resolution marks an important moment in the history of global multilateralism, as we engage international collective action that places human security and dignity at the same level," the president said on Tuesday.

The 15-member UN Security Council voted to authorize a mission that would guard critical infrastructure such as airports, ports, schools, hospitals, and key traffic intersections in the Caribbean nation.

According to the Kenyan leader, the resolution enables the nations of the world to discharge a collective moral duty of securing justice and security for all peoples of all nations. Already, while attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ruto said Kenya was ready to lead the mission.

"We express our determination that this mission will provide a different footprint in the history of international interventions in Haiti," Ruto said.

He said that Kenya possesses excellent international peace-mediating, peace-making, peace-building, and peace-keeping credentials.

"From East Timor and the former Yugoslavia to Eritrea and Angola to Sierra Leone, we have always stood ready and willing to do our part to bring peace, security and stability," Ruto said.

"This is why we cannot turn away from Haiti. Doing nothing in the face of human suffering is therefore absolutely out of the question. We shall succeed in Haiti. We must not fail the people of Haiti.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have been calling since late 2022 for international support to back the police force, but much of the global community had been jaded by the failure of earlier interventions in Haiti.

Earlier, Kenya, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the resolution was "the beginning of a new chapter for the fathers, mothers and children of Haiti."

"This mandate is not only about Peace and Security, but also about the rebuilding of Haiti – its politics, its economic development, and social stability," Foreign Minister Alfred N. Mutua said.

The resolution calls for the deployment of a "multinational security support mission" -- not officially a UN force -- with a "lead country" coordinating with the Haitian government.

GAROWE ONLINE