The US has suspended funding for the Kenya-led Haiti mission, leading to a funding crisis for the UN initiative. This development follows previous assurances from President Ruto regarding US support. The Kenyan contingent, however, continues to confront significant funding challenges despite ongoing efforts to stabilize Haiti amidst escalating gang violence.
The United States has halted funding for the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, resulting in a significant financial crisis for the UN-backed initiative. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, confirmed that this freeze affects $13.3 million in pending aid, noting that the US had officially notified of an immediate stop work order on their contribution.
This decision aligns with former President Donald Trump’s previous stance on reducing foreign aid. Just days prior, President William Ruto had expressed confidence that the US would continue supporting Kenya’s efforts against gangs in Haiti. Ruto proudly claimed that Trump supported Kenya’s mission to enable peace and stability for the Haitian people.
Ruto sought to downplay Trump’s assertion that the US would refrain from engaging in “other people’s wars,” emphasizing the strong, special ties between the US and Kenya, and the collaborative efforts in various sectors. Kenya has deployed 600 police officers for the mission, with 200 recently arriving in Port-au-Prince.
Haiti has been substantially affected by gang violence, undermining security and stability in the region. The Kenyan mission, initiated to support security efforts in Haiti, has continually suffered from funding deficiencies since its commencement in June 2024. President Ruto prioritized securing financial assistance during his State Visit to the US, intending to bolster the mission’s operational capacity amidst increasing delays in required support.
The suspension of US funding poses serious challenges for the Kenyan-led security mission in Haiti, further complicating efforts to combat gang violence. President Ruto remains optimistic about US support despite these setbacks. The international community, particularly the UN, is urging additional contributions to avoid a catastrophic security collapse in Haiti, as the mission is critical to restoring stability.
Original Source: allafrica.com
