Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio signals US support for Kenya-led Haiti Mission
Some Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about Kenya’s deployment of troops to Haiti, highlighting vulnerabilities in Kenya’s ability to combat terrorism domestically and on the African continent.
Florida Senator Marco Rubio, during his confirmation hearing as the nominee for Secretary of State under President-elect Donald Trump, stated that the solution to Haiti’s gang-fueled security crisis would not involve US military intervention.
Instead, he emphasized the potential for a multinational support effort led by the Biden administration, signalling continuity in US policy toward Haiti as Trump prepares to take office next week.
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Rubio’s remarks before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee marked the first high-level indication of the Trump administration’s potential approach to Haiti, a country grappling with a prolonged security crisis.
However, it remains unclear whether President-elect Trump will adopt Rubio’s vision.
Some Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns about Kenya’s deployment of troops to Haiti, highlighting vulnerabilities in Kenya’s ability to combat terrorism domestically and on the African continent.
They have also questioned the implications of such a deployment for Kenyan President William Ruto.
A Kenyan police officer stands guard during a joint operation with Haitian police, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on July 29, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Jean Feguens Regala)
Rubio acknowledged the complexity of the situation in Haiti, warning that its security crisis could destabilise the neighbouring Dominican Republic and worsen regional migration challenges.
He reiterated the Biden administration’s commitment to supporting Kenya’s multinational mission in Haiti, urging foreign partners to assist in providing police support.
“There’s no master plan to fix this overnight,” Rubio said. He underscored the importance of achieving baseline security in Haiti to enable the establishment of a legitimate transitional government, which could eventually pave the way for elections. “It’s going to take a long time,” he added, expressing sadness over the grim reality.
The Biden administration has already allocated over $600 million in support of the foreign mission, despite objections from leading Republican lawmakers who oppose US funding for Kenyan police deployments.
The administration has also been advocating for the 574-member Kenyan force to transition into a formal UN peacekeeping mission, which would guarantee funding and increase security personnel. However, this proposal faces resistance from China and Russia in the UN Security Council.
Meanwhile, in Kenya, President Ruto has taken steps to strengthen the country’s role in Haiti by appointing Noor Gabow, a former Deputy Commander of the Administration Police, as Consul General.
Gabow will lead the establishment of Kenya’s first consulate in Port-au-Prince. This week, he was vetted by Kenya’s parliamentary committee on defense, intelligence, and foreign relations, marking a significant development in Kenya’s diplomatic engagement with Haiti.
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