UN Approves New Mission to Replace Kenya-Led Force in Haiti

The United Nations Security Council has authorised a new UN-backed multinational force to take over security operations in Haiti from the Kenya-led mission whose mandate is expiring.

The decision paves the way for a larger, better-equipped international deployment with powers to confront armed gangs that have tightened their grip on Port-au-Prince and surrounding regions.

The force, expected to include thousands of military, police and civilian personnel, will operate under a UN umbrella with a one-year initial mandate.

The Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission was launched last year to help restore order in Haiti but struggled to gain momentum.

With limited contributions from other countries, the force remained below half of its intended strength and lacked critical resources, including armoured vehicles and reliable logistics. Kenyan officials repeatedly warned that the shortcomings undermined operations.

On the ground, MSS troops managed to secure pockets of the capital but failed to dislodge heavily armed gangs from their strongholds.

The continued violence has displaced hundreds of thousands of Haitians and deepened a humanitarian crisis.

Kenya has defended its leadership of the mission, pointing to the limited support it received from the international community.

President William Ruto, speaking during last week’s UN General Assembly in New York, said the Haiti crisis could be resolved but cautioned that any new mission needed firm guarantees of logistics, transport and predictable funding.

He warned that without these, the incoming force risked facing the same challenges as its predecessor.

Ruto added that Kenya was willing to remain involved under the new structure but stressed that troop-contributing countries must be given the tools to succeed.

His comments echoed growing calls from several governments for a more coordinated and better resourced approach to stabilising Haiti.

The new UN-led mission faces immediate hurdles, including securing pledged personnel, adequate equipment and sustainable financing.

Haitian officials welcomed the decision but said its success will depend not only on security gains but also on efforts to restore basic governance, services and a path toward elections.

gandae@businessdayafrica.org