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Kenya to delay police deployment to Haiti after PM Ariel Henry resigns

People, carrying Haitian flags, march during a demonstration demanding the resignation of Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry on March 7, 2024. (Photo: Guerinault Louis/ Anadolu via AFP)

By Amina Wako | Tuesday, March 12, 2024

The delay is a consequence of the recent resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, leaving a leadership vacuum in Haiti.

Kenya has put the planned deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti on hold until a new government is formed in the Caribbean nation to address the escalating lawlessness fueled by armed gangs.

The delay is a consequence of the recent resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, leaving a leadership vacuum in Haiti.

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Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’oei explained the situation, stating, “There has been a fundamental change in circumstances as a result of the resignation of the PM.”

The PS further said Nairobi will wait for a transitional authority to be established in Haiti before further decisions on deployment are made.

“Without a political administration in Haiti, there is no anchor on which a police deployment can rest; hence, the government (of Kenya) will await the installation of a new constitutional authority in Haiti before taking further decisions on the matter. Kenya reiterates its commitment to providing leadership to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.”

A critical factor in the delayed deployment is Henry's resignation from the unelected role he assumed following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. The move has left Haiti grappling with a power vacuum and an urgent need for stability.

Haiti has recently seen a surge in violence, with armed gangs led by Jimmy "Barbecue" Cherizier seizing control and demanding Henry's resignation.

The UN Security Council expressed profound concern over the deteriorating situation, acknowledging the dire circumstances in the country.

The chaos intensified when Henry left Haiti in late February, prompting the alliance of gangs to go on a rampage.

This week, the US, Canada, and France evacuated their non-essential staff and warned all their citizens against travelling to Haiti over security concerns.

Additional reporting by Mwangi Maina