Ruto Faces Woes as Another Country Withdraws From Kenyan-Led Haiti Mission
The Trinidad and Tobago government has withdrawn from Haiti’s Multinational Security Mission (MSS), which is headed by Kenya and sanctioned by the United Nations Security Council.
Dr. Amery Browne, the country’s Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister, told the press on Tuesday, April 2, that the government has made a final decision about sending soldiers to assist battle gangs in Haiti.
“Trinidad and Tobago has been in support of action to treat the Haiti situation. We have provided financial support as well as human resources to Caricom Good Offices efforts, to the Eminent Persons Group and to the other diplomatic foundation that has been laid in preparation for the Multinational Force,” Browne stated
In a clear declaration, Trinidad’s Prime Minister said that the government was unable to commit armed troops to the troubled Caribbean island at this time.
“Contributions of boots on the ground as it were, the prime minister has made it very clear that is the current position of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, that we are not in a position to contribute military forces, police officers or boots on the ground at this stage for that particular effort,” he added.
The government did, however, vow to collaborate with the other members of the Caribbean Community regional bloc, CARICOM, to solve Haiti’s issues.
“So that position is maintained, but, we will continue to receive updates and to contribute to Caricom and further interface with that very concerning crisis.”
On March 11, the CARICIOM group met with leaders from other countries, notably the United States and Canada, to assemble a seven-member presidential panel to choose a new temporary Prime Minister in the wake of Haiti’s previous leader Ariel Henry’s resignation.
The deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti has encountered many challenges. Ariel Henry’s departure prompted the Kenyan government to pause efforts in order to establish a functional governing body.
However, in the start of April, conflicts erupted among the political figures engaged in forming a transition committee.
The departing Prime Minister questioned the validity of the mediation group. He also declared the council unconstitutional and so unlawful.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and Haiti’s Security Minister inked an agreement on March 1 to send police to assist restore order in Haiti. The agreement was signed in the State House by President William Ruto and Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
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Ruto Faces Woes as Another Country Withdraws From Kenyan-Led Haiti Mission
