Haiti, Kenya, U.S. make progress on deployment of armed force. But there’s no date yet

Neither U.S. nor Haitians officials provided a deployment date on Wednesday after confirming they had met in what one Biden administration official described to McClatchy earlier in the week as “an entry-level discussion” on the highly anticipated armed force — which still lacks international funding and clearance from courts in Kenya.

Last month, a Kenyan high court delivered a setback to supporters of the Multinational Security Support mission when it ruled that it would be unconstitutional for Kenya to deploy 1,000 of its police officers to Haiti for the mission because the two countries lack a police-sharing agreement.

The Kenyan government said it would appeal the ruling, and President William Ruto said the two countries are working on addressing the court’s concerns.

In a communique, Haiti’s justice ministry said Haitian and Kenyan officials spent Wednesday working on the memorandum of understanding between the two countries required by the Constitutional Court of Kenya to allow the East African nation to deploy 1,000 police officers who are supposed to serve as the backbone of the armed force.

“Intense discussions took place between the two delegations in order to bring it into compliance with the legislation of both countries,” Haiti’s justice ministry said. “A final decision on the text should come early next week as well as its signature by both parties.”

While in Washington, the Haitian government also signed a memorandum of cooperation with the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations to formally establish a Haiti Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit. The unit would facilitate the exchange of information between law enforcement partners in the U.S. and Haiti, and enhance the abilities of both countries to investigate and prosecute those involved in transnational crimes.

“Establishing the TCIU is a pivotal moment in our collective efforts to combat transnational crime and ensure the safety and security of both our nations,” said David J. Magdycz, international operations assistant director of Homeland Security Investigations. 

The Haitian delegation was headed by acting Minister of Justice and Public Security Emmelie Prophète Milcé, and included Haiti National Police Director General Frantz Elbé and the head of the judicial police, Frédéric Leconte. Kenya sent a 14-member delegation, according to the Haitians, and it was led by Deputy National Security Adviser Joseph Boinnet. Boinnet is a former inspector general of the National Police Service of Kenya. Though Haiti and Kenyan officials met in December in Nairobi, this was the first time that key partners were all in the same room to discuss what has been a slow-moving and at times seemingly uncoordinated effort. 

The Kenya high court’s ruling on Jan. 26 was a significant setback and raised concerns about whether or armed international mission will arrive in Haiti, where the gang violence grows worse daily. 

The group was addressed by a number of Biden administration officials including Victoria Nuland, under secretary of state for political affairs; Brian Nichols, assistant secretary of state for the Western Hemisphere, and Todd Robinson, assistant secretary of state for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Also present were Barbara Feinstein, deputy assistant secretary of state who is responsible for the Haiti portfolio, and Chris Landberg, deputy assistant secretary of state for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. 

The discussions on Monday and Tuesday focused on the mission’s operations, logistics, compliance as well as surveillance, human rights and the equipment that will be needed. In preparation for the force’s arrival, U.S. officials have been sending generators and other equipment to a stretch of land in the capital near the airport that was once occupied by a United Nations peacekeeping mission. 

A National Security official said the U.S. is continuing to “reiterate the urgent need for robust international support for the mission” and for Haiti’s leaders to forge a political consensus to begin planning for elections. Haiti currently has no elected officials in office.

“As Haiti celebrates 220 years of independence this year, we urge all Haitian political and civil society actors, including Prime Minister [Ariel] Henry, to work to put their country back on a path toward long-term peace and stability through democratic governance and free and fair elections,” the U.S. official said. 

A western official said last week that the international community has to contribute to finding a solution to help Haiti to recover, to reestablish security, fight against organized crime and violence, reinstate the full functioning of the institutions and to reestablish the welfare for the population. “But even if tomorrow the multinational mission is deployed to Haiti, it will not be enough to solve the crisis,” the official warned. 

“What is needed is a strengthened political dialogue leading to a compromise on a political project for Haiti... and going through elections. We cannot impose anything from outside.” The United Nations Security Council approved the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission in early October, almost a year after Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry asked the international community for help. But the mission, which has an estimated price tag at between $515 million and $600 million for two years, is struggling to find funding. 

In the meantime, the security situation in Haiti grows more chaotic and violent by the day. More than 3,400 people were killed, kidnapped and injured over the last four months, the U.N. said, and the country in January had its deadliest month in two years. In addition to deadly gang clashes, the country has also seen a resurgence of anti-government protests.

Angry Haitians have taken to the streets demanding the resignation of Henry, who 14 months ago promised elections but has been unable to stage them due to the continuing violence and the lack of a political agreement. Ulrika Richardson, the U.N.’s humanitarian coordinator in Port-au-Prince, said that civilians, particularly children, are bearing the brunt of the violence. 

Earlier this week, Fontaine Medical Center, a hospital in the Cité Soleil shantytown in the capital, was caught once more in the middle of an exchange of gunfire between clashing gangs, prompting the facility to evacuate patients and staff. 

Of the more than 313,000 people currently displaced across Haiti, some 170,000 are children, UNICEF said on Tuesday. The children’s welfare agency is requesting $222 million this year to address the humanitarian crisis inside Haiti. “Conditions on the ground remain extremely dangerous for children. Children’s playgrounds, schools, and homes have become war zones in many parts of the city,” said Bruno Maes, UNICEF’s representative in Haiti. 

Maes said he recently personally witnessed an eight-year-old child being injured by a bullet while playing in the courtyard of her home. “These incidents are becoming a daily reality, and many do not have access or means to get help in time,” he said. 

At least 167 boys and girls were killed or injured by bullets last year, while some neighborhoods, Maes said, “have turned into a living hell for children.” “Violence has escalated rapidly since the beginning of the year.” he said. “Killing children is a grave violation of human rights.”