Kenya is now under pressure to deploy police officers to Haiti days after signing a bilateral agreement with the country which is now rocked with violence.
The pressure followed a statement issued by Volker Turk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Wednesday, March 6 where he called for immediate deployment of multi-national forces.
Volker pointed out that the situation in Haiti was escalating so fast and needed immediate intervention.
“I urge the international community to act swiftly and decisively to prevent Haiti further descent into chaos. More than 4,500 inmates are known to have escaped among them prominent gang members as well as those arrested in connection the assassination of the late President Jovenel Moïse,” Volker stated.
“This situation is beyond untenable for the people of Haiti. Since the beginning of the year, a staggering 1,193 were killed… I call for urgent deployment without any delay of the multinational support mission to Haiti,” he insisted.
During the UN Security meeting, the members called for prime minister Ariel Henry to hold free elections, but did not urge his resignation – a key demand of powerful gang leader Jimmy “Barbecue” Cherisier.
In power since the 2021 assassination of president Jovenel Moïse, Henry was due to leave office in February but instead agreed to a power-sharing deal with the opposition until new elections are held.
Cherisier warned Tuesday that the worsening chaos would lead to civil war and mass bloodshed unless Henry stood down.
The escalating violence comes days after an agreement, a reciprocal instrument, between Kenya and Haiti was signed in Kenya.
“From Kenya, we are ready for this deployment, and I request all the other partners across the globe to step up so that we can provide a response in good time,” said President Ruto.
Prime Minister Henri thanked President Ruto and the people of Kenya for offering to lead the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti meant to stabilise the country.
“What this mission is bringing is hope for the future of humankind, for a people who cannot see how they will live tomorrow,” the prime minister said.
He pledged that his government would accord the Kenyan contingent all the necessary support to make the mission a success.
