Antony Blinken Visits Haiti and the Dominican Republic Supporting the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Mission (MSS) in Haiti

By Jose Aguilar

On September 6, Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, visited Haiti to meet with Haitian Prime Minister, Gary Conville, and with the Transitional Council. Blinken’s visit to the island ensures the United States’ support to the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Mission (MSS) that has been deployed in Haiti since June. It also serves as a reminder that it is imperative that Haiti holds election soon, the last time Haiti had elections was in 2016. Therefore, this visit sends a message to the international community, so they can recognize the results of the deployment of 400 Kenyan police officers out of the 2,500 police officers that other countries have already committed to the mission. The mission has liberated parts of the Haitian capital, Port-Au-Prince, and has freed a public hospital. The joint and increased patrols of Haitian and Kenyan forces is just a small part of a greater challenge, to stabilize Haiti.  

  There is information being circulated that the United States and Ecuador might introduce a resolution to the U.N. Security Council so that U.N. Peacekeepers replace the Kenyan-led MSS. This could be because of the low number of police officers committed to the mission and the challenges of funding the MSS. Haitians are concerned that the U.N. Peacekeepers could replace the MSS in Haiti since the last time the peacekeepers were in Haiti, there was a cholera outbreak and significant sexual abuse allegations. Also, this would not be the first time that a U.N. led mission failed to complete its goals in Haiti. This sheds a light of the magnitude of Haiti’s problem and how a comprehensive intervention is needed. After Haiti’s visit, Blinken visited its neighbor, the Dominican Republic and met with president, Luis Abinader, to strengthen economic ties, promote increased security, and advance democracy in the region.