Politics
Barbados Peacekeeping Troops Deployment to Haiti Delayed Amid Uncertain Multinational Mission
Deployment of Barbadian peacekeeping troops to Haiti delayed pending clarity on Kenya-led multinational force mobilization after Haiti's PM stepped down. Barbados stands by to restore order in gang-ridden Haiti.
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Originally published by barbadostoday.bb (opens in new tab)
The deployment of Barbadian peacekeeping troops to crisis-torn Haiti has been put on hold, a senior government minister has revealed.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kerrie Symmonds disclosed on Thursday that the Mia Mottley administration was awaiting clarity on if, and when a Kenya-led multinational security force – of which Barbados is a part – would be mobilised after all, following Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry’s decision to step down.
“Until there is clarity on that wider deployment, Barbadian troops will be standing down,” Symmonds told Barbados TODAY. He said a security contingent is ready to collaborate in restoring law and order in a country taken over by gangs and where no government exists.
Just two weeks ago, Henry and Kenya’s President William Ruto signed a deal to fast-track deploying Kenyan police to curb violence in Haiti. On Tuesday, Kenya abruptly paused the deployment after Henry resigned, casting doubt on the proposed multinational mission.
Since pledging 1 000 officers last July, Kenya faced court challenges halting the mission despite other countries committing personnel. A Kenyan judge ruled the plan unlawful without a Haiti deal.
As Kenya secured an accord with Henry, Haiti’s security worsened with armed groups controlling Port-au-Prince, besieging the airport and freeing prisoners – deepening Kenya’s concerns over the risky mission.
Symmonds said: “Kenya’s foreign minister has indicated that the deal signed for a Kenyan-led multinational security force deployment still stands, but their leadership of the deployment cannot proceed until a government in Haiti has been properly constituted, thereby giving the Kenyan-led multinational force a formal structure to work with in Haiti.”
“Barbados has expressed its intention to participate under the umbrella of the CARICOM sub-regional security service, once approval is given for that service to be deployed. That continues to be our intention. However, the Regional Security Service (RSS) is intended, if it is mobilised, to form part of the wider multinational security force, if and when that larger multinational force is eventually deployed,” he said.
That Multinational Security Force would be led by Kenyan forces.
“Kenya has indicated an intention, in the aftermath of the surge in gang violence at the end of February, and the more recent declaration of intended resignation from Prime Minister Ariel Henry that it will await the installation of a new authority in Haiti before making any final decisions on deployment.
