Haiti PM to Make Diplomatic Visit to Kenya for Talks with President Ruto

Haitian Prime Minister Gary Conille is set to visit Kenya this week for crucial bilateral talks with President William Ruto.

The visit comes as Kenyan police officers continue their operations in the Caribbean nation under the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. Prime Minister Conille's trip aims to strengthen bilateral support and expedite the deployment of additional Kenyan officers to Haiti, following recent violent attacks by gang members that resulted in over 70 deaths. Conille departed Haiti on Saturday evening, with a planned stopover in the United Arab Emirates before reaching Kenya. He is accompanied by Dominique Dupuy, who serves as both the Minister of Foreign and Religious Affairs and the Minister for Haitians living abroad.

The primary objective of this diplomatic mission is to discuss with President Ruto the acceleration of Kenyan troop deployment to support Haiti's national police force. Kenya's involvement in Haiti began earlier this year with the arrival of the first contingent of Kenyan police officers in Port-au-Prince. This deployment is part of a broader international effort to stabilize Haiti, which has been grappling with gang violence and political instability. The Kenyan officers have been collaborating with Haitian police to restore order and provide essential security to the local population.

The MSS mission, backed by the United Nations, aims to provide comprehensive support to Haiti's security forces. This includes not only the deployment of police officers but also the provision of training, equipment, and logistical support. The overarching goal is to enhance the capacity of Haiti's national police to effectively combat gang violence and maintain public order. Prime Minister Conille has been a vocal advocate for international support in addressing Haiti's security challenges. In recent months, he has called for the extension of the MSS mission's operating timelines and the inclusion of additional officers from Kenya and other countries.

His visit to Kenya is viewed as a critical step in securing the necessary resources and support to continue these efforts. During his stay in Kenya, Conille is expected to engage in high-level discussions with Kenyan officials, including President Ruto and key members of his administration. The talks will focus on the logistics of deploying additional Kenyan troops and explore other areas of bilateral cooperation. The Haitian delegation will also seek to strengthen diplomatic ties and foster greater collaboration between the two nations.