US asks Kenya to hasten police move to Haiti

The United States has asked Kenya to accelerate deployment of police to the troubled Haiti, saying the Haiti National Police could crumble at any time if the deployment is not done urgently.

A spokesperson for the US Department of State Mathew Miller said Secretary of State Antony Blinken and President William Ruto spoke on Saturday night to discuss the ongoing political and security crisis in Haiti.

“Blinken spoke with President Ruto of Kenya on accelerating the deployment of a Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti,” the Department of State said on X.

In Nairobi, officials aware of the plans have said they had been told to be ready for deployment for the mission any time. President Ruto has, however, said though the troops are on standby, they cannot leave without adequate funding.

The two underscored unwavering commitment to the deployment of a Multinational Security Support mission to support the Haitian National Police in creating the security conditions necessary to conduct free and fair elections.

Miller said Blinken also offered his appreciation for Kenya’s diplomatic work to support peace and security in the Horn of Africa.

Move comes amid ongoing fighting in Haiti and in the absence of Prime Minister Ariel Henry who is held up in neighbouring Puerto Rico.

Initially, the rules of engagement were that Kenyan police guard key government infrastructure including airports, hospitals and Parliament.

The team that is supposed to be deployed to Haiti has been put on standby to fly there when needed.

On Saturday, there were reports that Haitian Interior ministry headquarters was on fire, with other reports stating that the gangs were planning to attack the local Supreme Court.

While Biden’s administration is committed to funding Kenya’s mission in Haiti, this has been met with resistance from Republicans.

The United States Government is awaiting support from Republican congressmen to approve about Sh14 billion to help the kick off of the mission.

Medical support

President Joe Biden made the pledge on September 23, 2023 to cover logistics, intelligence, communication and medical support for Kenyan troops.

Kenya, which will lead the team to combat the gangs, plans to deploy more than 1,000 officers to help in the mission.

Teams are from the Rapid Deployment Unit, Anti Stock Theft Unit, General Service Unit, and Border Patrol Unit and had been retrained for six months and graduated on January 4 this year.

Bahamas and Benin have committed to sending troops, while Jamaica and the state of Antigua and Barbuda have said they are willing to help.

Kenya’s declaration comes after the signing of a bilateral agreement between Kenya and Haiti, raising hopes of a rapid response to the chaos that has settled in Port-au-Prince.

The White House, while counting on Kenya’s commitment, rules out any deployment of American forces, pledging to accelerate the multinational support mission.

Officials also said the US was asking Prime Minister Ariel Henry to expedite the transition for inclusive governance.

US and Caribbean officials have been holding talks with Haitians to reach an agreement on details of who would compose the new structure.

Henry arrived in the capital San Juan, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, March 6, after flying from the US State of New Jersey. Henry’s whereabouts had been unknown following a visit to Kenya.

After signing the deal, he left Kenya on March 2 to Dubai and later flew to the US, officials said.

Violence in Haiti has spiralled in his absence - with armed gangs trying to take over the international airport to stop him from landing.

The fact that Henry seems to have been turned away from the nation he leads is a sign of just how dysfunctional Haiti has become in recent days.

Henry’s plane was forced to divert to Puerto Rico - a US territory - after it was denied entry to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic on Tuesday last week announced it was closing its airspace with neighbouring Haiti, with which it shares the island of Hispaniola.

The country’s leader, Luis Abinader, recently said measures would be taken to ensure a level of “peace and control” was maintained at its land border.

Since a state of emergency was imposed last week, all flights have been cancelled until further notice and the airport in the capital Port-au-Prince is, in essence, closed. The other reason may be for his own safety.

Henry would be a clear target for the gangs who are demanding that he steps down, and his return at this point may simply be deemed more of a hinderance to the nation’s stability, than a help.

The wider fear for the Prime Minister and his supporters though, including in Washington, is that his failed attempt to return home only weakens him further.

Biggest prisons

During his absence, a coalition of gangs led by a former police officer, Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, went on the offensive, attacking police stations and storming two of Haiti’s biggest prisons.

Around 4,000 inmates were able to escape.

Chérizier is demanding the prime minister step down, and has warned Henry not to return to Haiti.

Soldiers have been deployed to defend several of the country’s airports, including the Toussaint Louverture international airport in Port-au-Prince, and the city’s police academy has also been attacked by armed gang members.

According to the United Nations, some 15,000 people have been displaced in the latest flare up in violence.

Henry was sworn in, unelected, after Haiti’s President, Jovenel Moïse, was assassinated in 2021 by Colombian mercenaries.