Kenya and US sign agreement to support pending Haiti mission

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

#Kenya, September 29, 2023 – Kenya is receiving support for its promised mission to Haiti as the country has signed a defense agreement with the United States which will shore up resources and support for their deployment if and when it comes to pass.

The signing took place on Monday September 25th, 2023 and was carried out by Lloyd Austin, U.S. Defense Secretary and Aden Duale, Defense Minister of Kenya, at a meeting in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

As reported by AP News, the accord serves as a guide for the defense relations of both countries for the next five years as the war in East Africa against the al-Qaeda linked al-Shabab extremist group intensifies.

Austin sent thanks to Kenya making the jump to leadership, spearheading the 1000 strong multinational force to the troubled republic and reiterated that the U.S government is willing to work with Congress  to secure the funding of $100 million, saying true to its pledge on the sidelines of the U.N General Assembly.

While the U.N Security Council’s formal approval for the multinational force is pending, despite support from the US and the UN, Kenya’s defense minister Duale expressed that they are ready and on the call to deploy to Haiti, emphasizing the country’s willingness referring to the their long history of global peacekeeping in Kosovo, neighboring Somalia and Congo.

Despite Kenya’s confidence and willingness as well as that of other nations towards the East African nation, regarding their pending mission, human rights activists remain wary of the historical pattern of Haiti sustaining abuse from security operations in the country.

There is also concern for the language barrier which can severely impact the outcome of the still to be decided mission to the Republic.

Kenyans speak English and Swahili and Haitians communicate in French and Creole.