Government: Haiti mission to go on as planned despite funding freeze

The government has assured that the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti will proceed as scheduled, despite concerns over the freezing of funding by the United States. 

In a statement Wednesday, February 5, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura dismissed speculation that the U.S. decision would jeopardise operations.

"As of the end of 2024, $110.3 million (Sh14 billion) had been pledged by several countries, including the US, Canada, France, Turkey, Spain, Italy, and Algeria," said Mwaura.

He noted that the mission is backed by the UN Trust Fund for Haiti, which was established under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699 in October 2023.

The spokesperson further clarified that the fund had already received $85 million (Sh10 billion), including substantial contributions from the U.S.

"While a portion of the undisbursed U.S. contribution—amounting to $15 million—has been temporarily held due to a U.S. presidential directive, the fund remains well-resourced to support the mission until the end of September 2025," he stated.

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National Security Advisor to the President Monica Juma and Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei reiterated that the UN Trust Fund for Haiti has sufficient resources from other contributing countries. 

"It is true that the US contribution to the UN Trust Fund for MSS Haiti is on pause, affecting about $15 million in support. However, it is also true that the MSS mission remains a priority and is eligible for a waiver," Juma said.

On his part, Foreign Affairs PS Koris Sing’Oei highlighted the multinational nature of the mission, noting that it involves police deployments from Kenya, Guatemala, Jamaica, El Salvador, the Bahamas, and Belize.

"As of the end of 2024, $110.3 million had been pledged by several countries, including the U.S., Canada, France, Turkey, Spain, Italy, and Algeria.” 

On Tuesday, the United States froze financial contributions to the Un-backed multinational security support mission in Haiti, throwing it in disarray.