At the 80th United Nations General Assembly, Kenyan President William Ruto delivered a mixed assessment of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) deployed in Haiti.
The mandate of this force, which is set to expire in the coming days, has achieved tangible progress but remains weakened by a lack of resources, said William Ruto.
For several months, about a thousand Kenyan soldiers have led the MSSM in Haiti, a country gripped by a major security crisis.
From the UN podium, William Ruto welcomed the “considerable progress” made possible by this military presence.
“Thanks to our troops, many schools have been able to reopen their doors and numerous families have been able to return to their homes,” the Kenyan president said. He acknowledged, however, that the situation remains precarious in the capital Port-au-Prince and its surroundings, where nearly 90 percent of the urban territory remains under gang influence, according to UN estimates.
The Kenyan head of state emphasized the courageous and decisive contribution of his soldiers, praising their role in stabilizing areas previously paralyzed by violence.
While highlighting the results achieved, William Ruto also underscored the structural limits of the mission. He argued that the resources provided by contributing states were insufficient to ensure the full success of the operation.
“The meager logistical and financial support has hampered the mission’s proper functioning,” the Kenyan president said, urging donor countries to take greater responsibility.
This criticism comes as the UN struggles to secure the funds promised to support the MSSM. A large share of contributions announced by member states has yet to be disbursed, complicating the supply of essential equipment and the deployment of additional personnel.
A still unstable political and security context
The Kenya-led mission was approved by the UN Security Council in October 2023, after several months of debate. It was part of the international response to urgent appeals from the Haitian government and local organizations facing an unprecedented surge in gang violence.
Since the assassination of former President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Haiti has been plagued by chronic instability. Armed groups control most of Port-au-Prince and continue to carry out kidnappings, extortion, and deadly clashes. This widespread insecurity has displaced hundreds of thousands of people and fueled a major humanitarian crisis.
Despite Kenyan support, the MSSM has not succeeded in dismantling all criminal networks. Several military operations freed up strategic neighborhoods, but gangs still retain significant disruptive capacity.
The Kenyan intervention was hailed as a symbolic milestone, marking the first time an African country led a multinational mission outside its continent. President Ruto described the deployment as a demonstration of South-South solidarity, asserting that global security is a “shared responsibility.”
In New York, several international officials acknowledged Kenya’s efforts. However, the lack of funding and the slow pace of global mobilization have raised doubts about the mission’s viability. Some diplomats fear that the expiration of the MSSM mandate, without renewal or reinforcement, could plunge Haiti back into uncontrolled violence.
Another mission of more than 5,500 members is expected to be deployed in Haiti, according to a resolution introduced by the United States and Panama. However, no timeline has yet been announced for the arrival of the first troops.
The future of the mission remains uncertain. As the mandate nears its end, the Security Council must decide whether to extend it or reconfigure its framework. Several countries, including the United States and Canada, have reiterated their commitment to supporting Haiti, but without announcing any new troop deployments.
