WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States has strongly hinted that the Kenyan-led multinational security support (MSS) mission in Haiti could soon be replaced by a new international force, possibly under the Organisation of American States (OAS).
This follows a Tuesday phone call between President William Ruto and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during which Kenya lobbied for the adoption of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ proposal to establish a UN support office to provide logistics for the mission.
While Kenya has deployed hundreds of police officers to Haiti since last year, the US has been the primary financier of the force.
However, Washington now wants a broader, regionally led coalition to take charge of stabilisation efforts in the Caribbean nation, which has been plagued by violent gang control and political paralysis.
US Deputy Chief of Mission to the OAS Kimberly Penland praised Kenya’s commitment but stressed the need for wider international backing:
“The US thanks Kenya for its dedication over the last year. We must ensure that an even greater share of the international community is invested in the fight. The next international force must be adequately resourced.”
The shift comes amid warnings from the UN that Port-au-Prince is on the brink of collapse as gangs tighten their grip on key infrastructure.
The MSS mission has struggled with personnel shortages, limited intelligence, and weak logistical support.
Senator Marco Rubio had already signaled Washington’s new direction in May, telling the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that the OAS should step up to lead Haiti’s stabilisation effort — its first such mission since 1965.
