Key takeaways from Haiti’s multinational mission: progress, setbacks, and future challenges

PORT-AU-PRINCE —  Haiti’s Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), established to support the Haitian National Police (PNH) in combating gang violence, has made uneven progress following a UN Security Council vote to authorize its deployment in October 2023. Despite promises of 2,500 personnel, the mission remains understaffed, underfunded and ill-equipped, with only 572 members deployed as of this month.

The most recent reinforcement—150 Guatemalan and eight Salvadoran troops arriving this month—has been welcomed by mission leaders. However, the limited numbers highlight the operational and logistical challenges plaguing the MSS and its objectives.

“With the arrival of new personnel, we plan to establish additional Forward Operating Bases (FOB),” said Kenyan officer Godfrey Otunge, head of the mission in Haiti. “The gangs will have nowhere to hide; we will dislodge them from their strongholds.”

Key milestones and challenges                                                                                                                     

The mission’s journey has been fraught with setbacks, including reluctance from the UN Security Council, judicial hurdles in Kenya, logistical challenges and funding shortfalls. Below are notable events and developments:

• The initial request for intervention—October 2022
  

Former Prime Minister Ariel Henry appealed to the international community for security support, citing the PNH’s inability to manage the escalating gang violence.

 In a document signed by 19 members of Henry’s government, the Haitian government issued a formal appeal on Oct.7 requesting the help of international armed forces to restore order in Haiti amid its spiraling economic, political and criminal crises, aggravated by the re-emergence of a cholera outbreak.

• Kenya’s leadership pledge—July 2023
  

Kenya, an East African country, committed to leading the mission, promising 1,000 police officers, which marked a significant step forward. On Sept. 20, 2023, Haiti officially established diplomatic relations with Kenya by signing a bilateral agreement in an effort to facilitate Kenya’s leadership of the MSS.

• UN Security Council authorization—October 2023
  

Following a year of uncertainty and unsuccessful meetings, the Security Council approved a resolution co-drafted by the United States and Ecuador to authorize the deployment of a non-UN security support mission, with an estimated annual cost of $600 million. The U.S. pledged $300 million, while other member nations are expected to voluntarily contribute to cover the remaining budgeted amount.

• Legal battles in Kenya— October 2023- June 2024
  

On Nov. 16, 2023, the Kenyan Parliament gave its approval for the deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti, although some legislators opposed the government’s plan to lead a multinational police force in Haiti. However, supporters of the motion argued that Kenya had a moral obligation to assist Haiti in addressing its security challenges.

Between Oct. 9, 2023, and Jan. 24, 2024, the mission deployment faced legal action in Kenya. Former presidential candidate and lawyer Ekuru Aukot, along with the Third Way Alliance party, sued the Ruto government over its commitment to lead the MSS. The Kenyan High Court repeatedly delayed the mission deployment before ultimately banning it, ruling that it violated the Kenyan constitution and was illegal.  It reversed the ban later but required a reciprocal agreement to be signed between the two nation-states for the deployment to proceed.

In March 2024, the impasse was seemingly resolved when then-PM Ariel Henry and Kenyan President William Ruto signed a reciprocal agreement.

• Initial deployment—June 2024
  

The first contingent of nearly 400 Kenyan officers was finally deployed, establishing its base near Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital city.

• Funding gaps and delayed reinforcements
  

By October 2024, according to Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, in October 2024, the UN received only 67 million dollars, below its target of $84 million needed for its operations. Major contributors include Canada (45 million), the US (15 million), France and Spain (3 million each), Italy (360,000), and Turkey (50,000). 

The lack of funding prevents the MSS from completing its deployment target of 2,500 forces and obtaining the logistical and operational materials, particularly maritime and aerial equipment.

Troops pledged by different countries have been slow to arrive, contributing to the mission’s shortfall.

Months after Kenyan officers were deployed, the mission was reinforced by the arrival of 24 Jamaican soldiers and police officers from the 250 promised and two Belizean soldiers from the 50 committed. The Bahamas also sent in six military personnel out of 144 pledged.

The latest news regarding additional deployments was the arrival of 150 Guatemalan and eight Salvadoran troops last weekend, bringing the total of foreign forces in Haiti to 572. This is still well below the targeted total of 2,500.

On Sept. 30, 2024, as the mission mandate was set to expire, the Security Council decided to renew it for another year, extending the MSS in Haiti until Oct. 2, 2025. 

Structural and operational issues

On top of the insufficient personnel and funding, the mission faces significant structural limitations. Legal frameworks also complicate operations, despite a framework document obtained by Ayibopost for the Kenya-led MSS being introduced. Many continue to question whether the mission has any kind of oversight structure.

Efforts by the U.S. and its allies to transition the mission into a full-fledged UN-led peacekeeping force have been blocked by Russia and China. This failure further complicates the mission’s long-term funding and sustainability.

While the MSS has made strides in establishing a presence, it remains far from its objectives. Gang violence continues to plague communities in the Artibonite Department and Port-au-Prince metropolitan areas, notably downtown, Cité Soleil, and Solino, where police interventions are often inadequate.

As Haitians wait for the mission to fulfill its promises, the call for sustained international commitment grows louder.  

“The situation remains precarious,” said a senior police official. “We need more resources, more personnel, and international support to make meaningful progress.”

The coming months will determine whether the multinational mission can overcome its challenges and stabilize Haiti. At the same time, some resign themselves to the fact that Haitians cannot continue to rely on the international community, which has shown signs of fatigue.

The post Key takeaways from Haiti’s multinational mission: progress, setbacks, and future challenges appeared first on The Haitian Times.

---

Key takeaways from Haiti’s multinational mission: progress, setbacks, and future challenges was first posted on January 8, 2025 at 6:29 pm.