Kenya, Haiti forge diplomatic ties to combat gang violence, foster cooperation

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Kenya and Haiti have officially established diplomatic relations aimed at fostering cooperation and addressing the pressing issue of gang violence that has gripped Haiti.

President William Ruto of Kenya and Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry presided over the historic signing of the agreement at the Kenyan Mission in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday.

The formal agreement was inked by Haiti’s Foreign Minister Jean Victor Geneus and his Kenyan counterpart Alfred Mutua, according to a statement by the Kenyan presidency.

One of the pivotal aspects of this newfound alliance is Kenya's commitment to leading a Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti.

In a demonstration of solidarity and partnership, Kenya has pledged to deploy a contingent of 1,000 well-trained police officers to restore normalcy and combat the pervasive gang violence that has plagued Haiti in recent times.

After the signing, Ruto said: “As the leading nation in the UN-backed security mission in Haiti, we are committed to deploying a specialized team to comprehensively assess the situation and formulate actionable strategies that will lead to long-term solutions."

For his part, Prime Minister Henry emphasized that Haiti requires comprehensive support to tackle the significant security, humanitarian, environmental, and economic challenges confronting its population.

He expressed the strong desire of the Haitian people to see an end to the reign of criminal gangs since 2021.

A country in the Caribbean, Haiti is known for its rich cultural heritage and resilience. It has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including political instability and security issues.

Henry also welcomed the new chapter in bilateral relations, noting that establishing diplomatic ties between Kenya and Haiti opens the door to a range of collaborative efforts, including economic partnerships, cultural exchanges, and initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the people of both nations.

The agreement was formalized a few days after US President Joe Biden applauded President Ruto for his commitment to dispatching officers to assist and provide training to Haiti's law enforcement agencies.

“I thank President William Ruto of Kenya for his willingness to serve as the lead nation of an UN-backed security support system,” Biden said in his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday.