NAIROBI, June 20 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya is a firm believer in the shared global values of multi-lateralism as enshrined in the United Nations Charter, President William Ruto has said.
Speaking while he held talks with the Haiti Transitional Presidential Council chaired by Engineer Edgard Leblanc Fils, President Ruto said Kenya will safeguard shared principles of humanity that enable us to advance peace, security and stability.
Similarly, the President noted that Kenya shall establish communication channels as part of the ongoing engagement in restoring peace to Haiti.
This comes as around 1,000 Kenyan police officers are set to be deployed to Haiti in a bid to combat raging gang violence.
In March, an agreement, a reciprocal instrument was signed between Kenya and Haiti.
The Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti was authorised by the United Nations Security Council on Oct 2, 2023, under Resolution 2699.
This followed widespread gang violence that has rendered much of the country lawless and ungovernable.
In 2021, assassins killed Haiti President Jovenel Moise at his residence in the capital Port-au-Prince, highlighting the level of insecurity in the Caribbean nation.
In March this year, gang-related violence paralysed the capital, stopped operations at the country’s main airport and left several police officers dead.
In response to the Security Council resolution, Kenya’s National Security Council and Cabinet approved the deployment of police officers on October 13, 2023, a decision that Parliament unanimously endorsed on November 16, 2023.
However, following a petition filed in the High Court last January, the court determined that a reciprocal agreement with Haiti was needed.
Other countries that have pledged forces for the Haiti mission include; Benin, Chad, Bangladesh, Barbados and The Bahamas. — NNN-KBC
