President William Ruto
US President Joe Biden has expressed his gratitude to President William Ruto of Kenya for taking the
lead in Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.
This mission, authorized by the United Nations Security Council, aims to provide relief to the long-suffering people of Haiti who have endured escalating violence at the hands of criminal gangs. This was all done in a significant phone conversation.
Haiti, a nation of over 11 million people, has been plagued by violence, recording 3,000 homicides and
more than 1,500 kidnappings for ransom in the first nine months of this year alone, according to the UN.
The situation worsened following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise two years ago, forcing
approximately 200,000 people, including half of them children, out of their homes. Tens of thousands of children have been unable to attend schools due to the unprecedented insecurity.
The deployment of international forces, led by Kenya and authorized by the UN, is seen as a crucial step to address the crisis. These forces will focus on guarding essential public installations such as airports, ports, and hospitals, and will collaborate with local police to combat criminal activities.
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry expressed his gratitude for the UN’s decision to deploy these
international forces and also thanked Kenya for taking the lead in proposing the mission. The resolution empowers the MSS mission to take all necessary measures to curb violence in Haiti.
This joint effort between the United States and Kenya in supporting Haiti’s path to stability reflects a
commitment to global security and humanitarian relief in the face of an escalating crisis.
President Biden congratulated President Ruto for his recent role in hosting the Africa Climate Summit
and emphasized the importance of the strong US-Kenya strategic partnership. This partnership is built
upon a shared commitment to addressing global challenges and finding solutions.
During their discussion, both leaders explored opportunities to enhance regional security and mutual
prosperity. They highlighted the potential for increased investments, job creation, and sustainable
growth in the region.
