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Post Reply: Kenya and Dominican Republic Forge Historic Pact to Support Haiti Mission

<blockquote><div class="quotetitle">Quote from <a class="profile-link highlight-moderator" href="https://lawguide.co.ke/understanding-law/legal-forum/profile/lawyer/">Lawyer</a> on May 13, 2025, 7:42 pm</div><div id="pl-5595" class="panel-layout">
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<p dir="ltr" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">In a move to bolster the safety and welfare of Kenyan police officers deployed in Haiti, Kenya and the Dominican Republic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate medical evacuation, repatriation, and logistical support for personnel engaged in the United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM). The agreement, formalized during high-level political consultations in Santo Domingo, marks a significant step in ensuring the well-being of nearly 800 Kenyan officers combating gang violence in Haiti’s volatile capital, Port-au-Prince, and other regions.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The MoU was signed by Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, and the Dominican Republic’s Foreign Minister, Roberto Álvarez. The agreement outlines protocols for the medical evacuation and repatriation of wounded Kenyan officers, the dignified handling of deceased personnel, and access to Dominican territory for logistical operations. This pact addresses critical gaps in support for the MSSM, which has faced challenges including inadequate equipment and logistical constraints since its inception under UN Security Council Resolution 2699 in October 2023.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Mudavadi emphasized the agreement’s importance in safeguarding Kenyan personnel, stating, “Our officers have been operating without the necessary equipment and support, yet they continue to put their lives on the line. This agreement ensures that their safety and well-being are not overlooked as they help restore order in Haiti.” He highlighted the growing threats in Haiti, where armed gangs control approximately 85% of Port-au-Prince, contributing to over 1,600 deaths and the displacement of more than one million people in the first three months of 2025 alone.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Dominican Republic, sharing the island of Hispaniola with Haiti, has already played a vital role in supporting the mission. Foreign Minister Álvarez revealed that approximately 20 MSSM personnel, primarily Kenyan officers, have received medical treatment in Dominican facilities. “This is a genuine show of commitment to those risking their lives to bring stability to a brotherly nation,” Álvarez said, underscoring the regional impact of Haiti’s instability. He added, “We are deeply satisfied to have provided medical care to about 20 MSS members, offering them the respectful, dignified, and compassionate care they deserve for their exemplary courage and sacrifice.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">The agreement comes amid concerns over the MSSM’s operational challenges. Mudavadi and Álvarez jointly called on the international community to fulfill and expand pledged contributions to equip the mission adequately. “We cannot ask for courage from our officers without ensuring they have the tools and backing they need to succeed,” Mudavadi remarked. Reports indicate that at least two Kenyan officers have lost their lives, with several others injured, partly due to equipment failures, including grounded armored vehicles and inadequate protective gear.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Beyond security cooperation, the consultations in Santo Domingo paved the way for deeper bilateral ties. A second MoU was signed to foster collaboration between the Dominican Republic’s Institute of Higher Education in Diplomatic and Consular Training and Kenya’s Foreign Service Academy, aiming to enhance diplomatic training and exchange. Both nations expressed interest in establishing embassies in Nairobi and Santo Domingo to strengthen diplomatic engagement, signaling a commitment to long-term partnership.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The MSSM, now in its second year, has garnered support from the United Nations and the United States. During a recent visit to Washington, D.C., Mudavadi met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who reaffirmed America’s backing for Kenya’s leadership in the Haiti mission and broader efforts to promote regional stability and democratic governance. The mission, originally envisioned to comprise 2,500 personnel, remains understaffed and underfunded, with only about 1,000 officers deployed, 75% of whom are Kenyan.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Both leaders acknowledged the urgent need to transform the MSSM into a hybrid mission, a proposal currently under consideration by the UN Security Council, to enhance its capacity and resources. “This partnership shows the power of collaboration,” Mudavadi said. “We stand together with the Dominican Republic and the global community to make peace possible in Haiti.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">The signing ceremony, held at the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was attended by a high-level Kenyan delegation, including National Security Advisor Ambassador Dr. Monica Juma, Ambassador-designate to the Dominican Republic Everlyne Mwenda Karisa, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. Discussions also touched on trade, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the emerging Kenya-Dominican Republic relationship.</p>
<p dir="ltr">As Haiti grapples with escalating gang violence and humanitarian challenges, this agreement underscores the international community’s responsibility to support the MSSM and restore stability in the Caribbean nation. For Kenyan officers on the frontlines, the pact offers a critical lifeline, ensuring that their sacrifices are met with the care and support they deserve.</p>

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