President Ruto announces additional police deployment to Haiti amid escalating violence » Capital News

New York, USA – President William Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya’s unwavering commitment to international peace and security and announced plans to deploy additional police officers to Haiti as part of a multinational security support mission.

Speaking at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, Ruto said Kenya is on track to achieve its goal of having 2,500 police officers in Haiti by January, highlighting the mission as a demonstration of what was once considered “Mission Impossible” is now a tangible reality.

The president’s announcement follows his recent visit to the Haitian capital, where he reviewed the Kenyan-led security mission. His visit came just a day after a United Nations expert issued a stark warning about escalating violence and insecurity in Haiti, underscoring the challenges facing both the Haitian people and the international community in restoring the stability.

Despite the presence of Kenyan and other foreign police officers, insecurity in Haiti remains high. Reports indicate that armed groups control approximately 80 percent of Port-au-Prince, seriously undermining the rule of law and public security. The pervasive violence has led to a humanitarian crisis, with more than 578,000 Haitians internally displaced in August, according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Many of these families live in dire conditions and wait for the chance to return safely to their homes, while armed groups continue to carry out attacks and exert their influence over large parts of the capital.

In his speech, Ruto emphasized the urgent need for a united international response to address the complexity of the situation in Haiti. Recognizing the significant challenges posed by armed groups, he stressed the importance of continued support from the world community to stabilize the country. “Our support for the Haitian National Police has significantly advanced the pacification of towns and villages, protected critical infrastructure and decongested many communities previously held captive by criminal gangs,” Ruto said.

He expressed gratitude for the financial and logistical support from the United States, Canada and other Member States, which have been crucial to the continued deployment. However, he also pointed out that additional support is needed to effectively equip the Haitian National Police. “I call on all Member States to stand in solidarity with the people of Haiti by providing the necessary support, either directly to the MSS contributing countries or through the UN Trust Fund,” he urged.

Ruto’s speech to the UN General Assembly extended beyond Haiti and touched on broader themes of global peace and security. He highlighted the precarious state of international security, where conflicts are spreading and undermining the principles enshrined in the UN Charter. “The world is at a challenging moment,” he noted, highlighting how global peace, security and stability are increasingly threatened by great power rivalry, organized crime and the proliferation of weapons.

The Kenyan president’s commitment to Haiti is part of a broader strategy to strengthen Kenya’s role in international peacekeeping efforts. He noted Kenya’s participation in several peace initiatives, including Kenya’s continued support to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), which aims to stabilize the region amid Al-Shabaab threats.

As the world grapples with a host of challenges – ranging from geopolitical tensions to climate change – Ruto’s call for renewed international cooperation resonated strongly. He urged countries to reconsider their joint approach, stressing that peace and development are inseparable pillars that must be pursued jointly.

About the author

BERNARD MOMANYI

Bernard is the Editorial Director at Capital FM, with almost twenty years of experience in both print and electronic media. He holds an Executive Masters in Media Leadership and Innovation from the Aga Khan University, Nairobi-Kenya, a Master of Arts in Communication Studies with a focus on Development Communication from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor’s degree in Information Science from Moi University.