Kenya and Haiti have officially entered into a “reciprocal” agreement, as announced by Kenyan President William Ruto, allowing the deployment of Kenyan police to lead a UN-backed law and order mission in the troubled Caribbean nation.
Ruto revealed that discussions with Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry centered on expediting the deployment process. However, the agreement’s ability to override a previous court ruling in January, which deemed the deployment “illegal,” remains uncertain.
Kenya had previously offered to contribute up to 1,000 personnel, a gesture welcomed by the United States and other nations unwilling to deploy their own forces. Nevertheless, a Nairobi court declared the decision unconstitutional, citing the absence of a reciprocal agreement between the two countries as a key factor.
In a joint statement from Nairobi, Ruto affirmed Kenya’s unwavering commitment to the multinational mission, emphasizing its historic responsibility for global peace. The signing of the reciprocal agreement is seen as a pivotal step towards resolving the legal challenges surrounding Kenya’s involvement.
The UN Security Council had greenlit the mission in October, but concerns within Kenya led to a legal challenge, casting doubt on the fate of the multinational force sought by Haiti’s government. Despite the hurdles, Ruto expressed optimism about the mission’s success and underscored the positive impact of fostering peace in Haiti on a global scale.
However, opposition politician Ekuru Aukot, who initially filed the petition against the deployment, voiced intentions to challenge the agreement, citing possible “contempt of court.” Aukot pledged to scrutinize the validity of the secretive agreement, adding a layer of complexity to the ongoing legal debate.
Haiti, grappling with years of turmoil and violence, seeks international assistance to address the dire situation. Armed gangs have seized control of various regions, causing widespread suffering and severely impacting the nation’s economy and public health system.
