Inside President Ruto’s Crucial Call with US Secretary Blinken
President William Ruto and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken engaged in a conversation on Thursday, November 7.
Ruto shared that they focused on plans to transition the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) in Haiti into a UN peacekeeping initiative.
“I had a productive dialogue with US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken regarding the transition of the Kenya-led MSS in Haiti into a UN peacekeeping mission. This step would strengthen the mission’s capacity to stabilize the region,” Ruto posted on X.
He further stated, “Kenya and the United States continually advance our partnership to boost governance. This includes efforts against corruption and providing training to make our security forces more effective, efficient, and accountable.”
In a visit to Haiti in September 2024, Ruto voiced support for the MSS transition into a UN peacekeeping force.
“We are open to transitioning this mission into a fully U.N. peacekeeping operation if that’s the path the U.N. Security Council chooses,” he remarked.
The Haitian government, along with the Transitional Presidential Council, also favored converting the MSS into a UN peacekeeping mission, considering it a way to secure steady funding and reinforce operational capabilities.
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The U.S. initially recommended this shift but later retracted the proposal amid resistance from China and Russia.
Proponents of a UN peacekeeping mission argued it would ensure more reliable funding and resources than the current voluntary contribution model for MSS.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council unanimously decided to extend the MSS mission in Haiti for an additional year, through October 2, 2025.
This extension was in response to ongoing security issues and escalating gang violence affecting Haiti.
Led by the United States and Ecuador, the resolution aims to provide Haitian police forces with more time to address the sharp rise in violent gang activities.
Currently, the MSS has about 400 officers assisting the Haitian National Police, with the full deployment of 2,500 officers expected by January, as Ruto noted.
“Kenya is committed to sending additional personnel to achieve the full deployment of 2,500 police officers by January,” he declared at the United Nations General Assembly.
Inside President Ruto’s Crucial Call with US Secretary Blinken
