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Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti
The Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti is an international police and military force approved by the United Nations Security Council on 2 October 2023 to assist the government of Haiti in restoring law and order amid worsening civil strife and gang violence since 2018.[2] The mission is led by Kenya and coordinated with the Haitian National Police; though backed by the UNSC, it is not a United Nations operation.[3] Personnel have been pledged by Caribbean Community members Jamaica, Bahamas, Guyana, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda, as well as Bangladesh, Benin, and Chad.[4] Then-Kenyan Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua stated that Spain, Senegal, and Chile would likely deploy security personnel.[5][6] The first contingent of the security force arrived in Haiti on 25 June 2024.[7] As of 3 January 2025, over 500 personnel from Kenya, Jamaica, Belize, the Bahamas, Guatemala, and El Salvador have been deployed to the theather.[8] Background
Haiti's government collapsed after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, after which the prime minister, Ariel Henry, assumed power without an election. Though Henry’s official term ended in early 2022, he postponed elections and governed without a constitutional mandate.[9] The political impasse has created conditions for escalating gang warfare and a wave of violent crime.[10] The following year he repeatedly called for an international intervention to counter growing armed gang violence in Haiti.[11] Since 2021, the Haitian National Police (HNP) has suffered 100 fatalities and declined by over 7,000 personnel; by the end of 2023, only around 9,000 officers remained on duty for country of over 11 million—for comparison, 36,000 officers serve the 8 million residents of New York City alone. These challenges have been exacerbated by a cholera outbreak, deadly earthquakes, and economic strife, contributing to a broader humanitarian crisis.[10] According to a UN report, there were almost 2,800 murders recorded between October 2022 and June 2023.[11] During 2023 self-defense militias had killed more criminals than the police.[11] In March 2024, Ariel Henry resigned.[9] Haiti has previously been subject to international policing missions. U.S. troops and U.N. civilian police conducted patrols in the mid-1990s when the Haitian police was just being established. From 2004 to 2017, the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) undertook broad security duties that included an armed anti-gang campaign; it was replaced by a much smaller police force, the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH),[12] which concluded in 2019. Both missions were marred by controversies, including allegations of U.N. troops sexually exploiting poor women and being responsible for the cholera outbreak in 2010.[13] UNSC Resolution 2699One year after the Haitian government's formal request to the U.N. for international assistance,[14] the United States and Ecuador drafted United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699.[15] Adopted on 2 October 2023, the resolution mandates the MSS with helping the HNP counter gangs, restore security, and create conditions for free and fair elections.[15] It also grants the MSS temporary executive policing authority in Haiti, including the powers of detention and arrest.[10] Additionally, the resolution also extended a previous arms embargo.[16] Thirteen members voted in favour, with Russia and China abstaining.[15] According to Le Monde, the controversial history of past United Nations interventions in Haiti and widespread opposition to American involvement led Washington to propose a new model: a multinational force led by an African country. Victoria Nuland, U.S. Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, stated that "ten to twelve countries," will participate in the mission, with the United States providing logistical, financial, and medical support.[11] In February 2024, conferences in Brazil and Guyana regarding the mission were followed by additional commitments by various countries;[17] the United States announced it would contribute another $100 million in support of the mission,[18] raising its total pledge to $300 million,[19] while Benin pledged to provide 2,000 soldiers. As of 30 September 2024[update], Kenya, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Chad, and Guinea have formally agreed to provide personnel.[4] Prior to deployment, the MSS is required to present an operational plan to the U.N. Security Council and create an oversight mechanism to monitor the mission; participating personnel would also be subject to U.N. vetting.[17] Additionally, personnel receiving U.S. support would be subject to U.S. human rights vetting pursuant to the "Leahy Laws".[20] PreparationsThe United States has pledged $200 million to the mission and an additional $100 million in humanitarian aid.[21] Canada announced $123 million to support Haiti, including $80.5 million for the mission.[22][23] During March 2024, the U.N. indicated that $78 million had been formally pledged, of which only $10.8 million was deposited, by Canada and France.[4][24] As of October 2024, operation has received only $85 million, while its annual budget is estimated at $600 million.[25] On 20 May 2024, Toussaint Louverture International Airport in the capital of Haiti was reopened after being closed for three months. The US military was flying in supplies and civilian contractors in the preceding weeks to pave a way for the intervention.[26] On 23 May 2024, in recognition of its willingness to lead the mission, US President Joe Biden announced that Kenya will be granted a Major non-NATO ally status.[27] DeploymentOn 25 June 2024, Kenya's first contingent of 400 elite police officers landed in Port-au-Prince's international airport after months of delay.[28] A second contingent consisting of 200 officers arrived on 16 July.[29] On 12 September 2024, two dozen soldiers and police officers from Jamaica arrived in Haiti to join a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenya to combat the gangs.[30] Three months into the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, little progress has been made, with no tangible improvement in Haiti's security situation. As of late October 2024, the mission remains severely understaffed, with Kenya deploying only 400 troops, alongside 20 officers from Jamaica and Belize. Kenyan President William Ruto has pledged that the full deployment of Kenya Police personnel will be completed "by January" 2025, but he has criticized the mission's "lack of equipment, logistics, and funds." Additionally, observers have expressed concerns over the mission's unclear operational framework and rules of engagement.[25] Haitian National Police and MSS forces carry out joint patrols in Port-au-Prince, which is largely under the control of armed gangs.[25] 6 soldiers of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (from a initially promised 150) would be deployed on 18 October 2024[31]. Then on 3 January 2025, 75 troops of the Guatemalan Army Military police and 8 airmen of the Salvadoran Air Force would land in Port-au-Prince.[8]75 additional troops of the Guatemalan Army military police unit would land the next day, completing Guatemala's deployment of pledged troops.[32] The third deployment of Kenyan police officers, 217 officers this time, would occur on the 18th of January 2025[33]. Haitian responseIn a 2023 survey, 70% of Haitians said they favor the deployment of an international armed force to fight the gangs, as authorized by the United Nations. The majority of respondents, 57%, said they do not think a coalition of civil society organizations that have come together under the name Montana Accord — an agreement for governing Haiti named after the Petionville hotel where it was signed — can solve the security crisis either. A total of 1,597 Haitians were surveyed across Haiti's 10 regional departments and the margin of error is below 3%. The poll was commissioned by the Haiti Health Network, a group of medical organizations in the country.[34] Nou Pap Konplis, a nongovernmental organization, expressed support for the resolution but urged the government to draft a "roadmap" that would avoid the problems of past interventions.[35][36] Likewise, Ricardo Fleuridor, a leading activist and member of the Petrochallengers grassroots movement,[37] called on U.N. leaders to collaborate with competent Haitians skilled in international politics and diplomacy when establishing a roadmap for the multinational mission. Lastly, Crisis Group expert Diego Da Rin observes that Haitians hope the force will enhance security and restore normalcy, but concerns about gang resistance mean its success hinges on the effectiveness of its initial operations.[38] Echoing the concerns of Haitian civil society, human rights experts have advocated additional training and mechanisms to prevent and punish human rights violations, which have historically plagued prior peacekeeping and security missions.[39] On 17 April 2024, Haitian business leaders released a letter addressed to Kenyan President William Ruto stating that they were "extremely concerned" over the MSS' delay.[40] With the lack of action on the ground and lack of participation in operation, a growing number of Haitians have showed their mistrust in the objectives of the mission and are calling for investments in the Haitian police and Armed Forces of Haiti to resolve the security issues. Foreign responseUnited StatesAs the United Nations sanctions an independent Kenya-led multinational mission to the tumultuous nation of Haiti, Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s chief diplomat to the Organisation of American States (OAS), has probed the role of the US in the endeavor. While the US State Department has committed to providing $100 million in foreign assistance and the Department of Defense is willing to offer up to $100 million in supporting measures, Sir Ronald Sanders underscores a deeper historical connection. As discussions about the Haitian mission proceed, Sanders calls for a more active role by the US, challenging the emphasis on monetary contributions over direct involvement.[41] KenyaNominated Senator Karen Nyamu asserts that Kenya's leadership in the UN-backed mission in Haiti will bolster its global reputation as a dependable partner. Highlighting Kenya's peacekeeping history, she believes that the mission provides advanced training for Kenyan police and brings financial benefits, with countries like the US committing significant funds. Rather than combat, Kenyan officers will secure key infrastructures in Haiti. Nyamu emphasizes Kenya's commitment to global collaboration and Haiti's stabilization.[42] Kenya's paramilitary General Service Unit may be deployed and some officers are learning French to communicate on the ground. Current personnelCurrent personnel deployed to the mission as of 3 January 2025.
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