Haiti, Kenya, US Officials Wrap Up Multinational Security Mission Talks, Date Remains Unknown

Government officials from Haiti, US, and Kenya recently concluded a planning conference for the deployment of a multinational security mission to assist Haitian police in addressing the escalating threat from criminal gangs.

However, the timing of the forces' arrival remains uncertain, as neither US nor Haitian officials disclosed Kenya police deployment date after their meeting, according to the Miami Herald.

The discussions, characterized as an "entry-level discussion" by a Biden administration official, lacked details on international funding and awaited clearance from Kenya courts.

A Kenya high court ruling deemed it unconstitutional for Kenya to deploy 1,000 police officers to Haiti without a police-sharing agreement last month.

The Kenya government plans to appeal the ruling, with President William Ruto expressing confidence in addressing the court's concerns.

Haiti's justice ministry confirmed intense discussions between Haitian and Kenyan officials to draft a memorandum of understanding, a prerequisite set by the Constitutional Court of Kenya for the deployment.

A final decision and the signing of the document are expected early next week.

During the stay in Washington, the Haitian government formalized collaboration with the US Homeland Security Investigations by signing a memorandum of cooperation.

This establishes the Haiti Transnational Criminal Investigative Unit, aiming to enhance information exchange between law enforcement in both countries.

The unit is pivotal in strengthening the investigative and prosecutorial capacities of both nations against transnational crimes.

Unprecedented Surge in Gang Violence Grips Haiti

Haiti, already grappling with political instability and economic challenges, faces an unparalleled surge in gang violence.

Over 800 people, including children, have been affected, leading to the displacement of families in Port-au-Prince, per BNN.

The UN Human Rights spokesperson reported the dire situation, highlighting the impact on medical facilities, which are now subject to heavy gunfire exchange, necessitating evacuations of patients and staff.

The alarming escalation prompted Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader to address the United Nations, emphasizing the urgent need for a multinational force to support Haiti's security forces.

Homicides have doubled in the past year, with January alone witnessing over 1,100 people killed, injured, or kidnapped.

The Dominican Republic is deeply concerned about the potential collapse of Haiti if swift action is not taken to address the security crisis.

Kenya Official Found Dead in Hotel Amid Haiti Multinational Security Mission Discussion

In a tragic turn of events, a 39-year-old Kenya official, Nyamato Walter, part of the official delegation discussing the planned international security force, was found dead in his hotel room in Washington, Reuters reports.

The discovery occurred on Tuesday morning, with police pronouncing him dead at the scene.

While the cause of death was not provided, the investigation is being handled by a specialized squad dealing with natural deaths and suicides.

Walter, a police commissioner, played a role in the Kenya-led force discussions.

The force encountered setbacks with a Nairobi court blocking the proposed deployment of 1,000 police officers last month.

Despite this, President William Ruto affirms the plan's continuation, with ongoing meetings on Kenya police deployment to address challenges on Haiti gang violence.

The tragic incident adds a somber note to the complexities surrounding the multinational security mission.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Gang violence escalates in Haiti's capital - From REUTERS