Why we opposed changing Kenya-led force in Haiti to UN peacekeeping mission - Russia
By Mary Wambui |
The Russian Embassy in Nairobi said that a UN mission's role also does not include "rescuing a dysfunctional state".
Russian Embassy in Nairobi explains Moscow's decision to oppose the transition of MSS mission in Haiti to a UN peacekeeping mission
The Russian Embassy has explained its country's decision to oppose the transition of the Kenya-led mission in Haiti to a United Nations Peacekeeping mission.
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"The conditions on the ground in Haiti are not suitable for UN Peacekeepers as their duty is to maintain Peace rather than to fight crime in an urban environment," the Embassy said on X.
It added that a UN mission's role also does not include "rescuing a dysfunctional state".
In September, Russia and China vetoed the proposal when it was presented before the UN Security Council.
On Thursday the two nations explained their reasons for opposing the move before the UNSC.
Russia's Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Dmitry Polyanskiy noted that while the MSS mission had made hains since its deployment, all of the achievements made since the spring of this year have unfortunately rolled back.
Haitian National police SWAT unit and Kenyan Police walk trough a steep hill to board an armoured vehicle after one of the vehicles broke down on a steep hill while patrolling through a neighborhood, after the arrival of the first contingent of Kenyan police as part of a peacekeeping mission, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti June 28, 2024. (Photo: REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo)
"The airport is closed again, the areas that were cleared of gangs are once again under the control of criminal elements, and hundreds of thousands of people have fled their homes. Moreover, violence and the security vacuum have spilt over far beyond the Haitian capital," he told the meeting.
Urgent action
The official said the international community's urgent action to stabilise Haiti's situation is urgently needed.
The official said the challenges of inadequate funding facing the MSS mission have lingered far too long and delayed the full deployment of the mission making it ineffective in achieving its mandate.
"It would be simply irresponsible to start talking about adapting the mandate or transforming the Mission without identifying the challenges faced by its predecessor and ways to address them," said Dmitry.
The mission is in its second term after its mandate was renewed two months ago.
The current security situation in Haiti has seen the US Embassy issue a travel alert to its citizens in the Caribbean nation and halt its civilian services indefinitely.
At the same time, some humanitarian organisations have halted their activities in the capital over insecurity as the situation deteriorates.
"The current tragic events in Haiti demonstrate that irrespective of our decision on the format of a future international presence in the country, Haitians do need urgent assistance, right now. And right now, in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian police and a small Kenyan contingent remain the only force countering criminal gangs. We believe it is of paramount importance to provide the necessary logistical and financial assistance to them, otherwise, there will be simply no one left to 'host' Haiti's future peacekeepers," said Dmitry.
Kenya has since said it has funds to sustain its troops in Port au Prince till March next year.
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