By Andrew Wasike
NAIROBI, Kenya - Kenya has signed a security deal with Haiti in a last-ditch effort to salvage a plan to send 1,000 Kenyan police officers to the Caribbean nation.
The deployment aims to address the rampant gang violence plaguing Haiti, which has reached unprecedented levels.
President William Ruto and Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry graced the signing ceremony at State House in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.
"I am pleased to inform you that Prime Minister Ariel Henri and I have witnessed the signing of this instrument. We have also discussed the next steps to enable the fast-tracking of the deployment,” Ruto said in a statement.
"We believe this is a historic duty because peace in Haiti is good for the world as a whole," Ruto added.
This agreement comes after months of uncertainty surrounding the initial proposal made by Kenya in July 2023.
The plan faced criticism from both within Kenya and internationally, concerns included questions about the legality of the deployment under Kenyan law and the human rights record of the Kenyan police force.
The details of the new deal have not been publicly disclosed, but it is hoped that it will address outstanding concerns and pave the way for the UN Security Council to vote on a resolution authorizing the deployment.
The United States has pledged $100 million in funding for the mission if approved by Congress, and several other countries, including Canada, Jamaica, and Senegal, have expressed their support for the initiative.
Haiti has been struggling with gang violence and political instability for years, and the situation has worsened in recent months, with kidnappings, armed robberies, and other violent crimes becoming commonplace.
The Haitian government has called for international assistance to help restore order and security.