Haiti’s Presidential Transition Council writes letter to Ruto ahead of police deployment

Haiti’s Presidential Transition Council has written a letter to President William Ruto requesting assistance and the rapid deployment of police officers.

On Thursday, May 9, the council told President Ruto that the country was awaiting intervention from Multinational Security Support as violence escalates.

According to Caribbean media, the letter from council members was a matter of urgency to address security issues.

This message comes about two weeks before the deployment of 1,000 Kenyan police officers to lead the Multinational Security Support mission.

President William Ruto addresses a delegation.

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Council officials expressed concern about the rising rate of violence and crime in the Caribbean nation and the delay in the deployment of troops.

It is yet to be determined whether President Ruto has responded to Haiti’s call for help.

However, the president has assured that Kenya would go ahead with the deployment due to its obligation to the international community. He is scheduled to travel to the United States on May 23, when troops are expected to deploy.

US officials revealed on April 30 that the first group of officers will fly to Haiti in late May to quell ongoing violence.

Currently, US troops along with civilian contractors are in Haiti building military bases for Kenyan troops. Reports indicate that several military aircraft have been flying into the country as the United States races against time to make necessary arrangements.

Several challenges have been reported since Kenya offered to deploy troops in April 2023. The government was initially sued, but the High Court declared the deployment unconstitutional in January.

Following the court ruling, the two governments reached an agreement to provide guidance on the deployment. This resolved the issues raised by the High Court.

Furthermore, despite the agreement, several police officers reportedly resigned from the mission for fear of losing their lives.

However, Haitians await new troops led by Kenya. Others are from Benin, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda.

Police officers take part in a shooting range in Kiganjo.

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ICD