Kenya Offers to Send Police Officers to Haiti and Mediate in Sudan Crisis
Amid the deteriorating security situation in Haiti, Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has announced the country’s willingness to send a contingent of police officers to assist in stabilizing the country. Mutua made the announcement after a phone conversation with Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly on April 22, where they discussed the escalating gang violence that has made life unbearable for many Haitians. The International Committee of The Red Cross has reported that over three million people in Haiti face heightened humanitarian needs amid severe insecurity, and thousands have been forced to flee their homes due to repetitive cycles of armed violence.
Canada has been at the forefront of supporting Haiti’s process towards stability, and Kenya’s offer of police assistance is a significant step towards that goal. Mutua also revealed that they discussed the ongoing crisis in Sudan, where they both called for an immediate ceasefire and respect for human rights. He added that Kenya has offered to mediate between the two warring groups in Sudan, and they agreed to support each other in the evacuation of their citizens.
President William Ruto had earlier expressed concerns over the fight between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), stating that the deteriorating situation posed a significant danger to the region. Ruto regretted that a misunderstanding over a single outstanding item in the Political Framework Agreement, namely the time frame for integrating the RSF into the SAF, had degenerated into violent conflict.
Kenya’s offer to assist in stabilizing Haiti and mediate in the Sudan crisis is a demonstration of the country’s commitment to peace and stability in the region. The deteriorating security situation in Haiti and Sudan requires urgent action, and Kenya’s intervention is a step in the right direction towards resolving the crises.
