As international mission in Haiti falters, U.S. seeks to turn it into a U.N. peacekeeping operation

The Biden administration is considering the possibility of turning the faltering Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti to a traditional United Nations (UN) peacekeeping operation.

The possibility, reported by the Miami Herald, comes about two months after the first group of Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti to spearhead the security force. There have been challenges in securing voluntary contributions for the mission, which costs approximately $200 million every six months to operate, as well as showing any results for it.

The potential switch would address funding shortfalls, as such missions are typically financed through member nations' assessed contributions. Additionally, it would provide the mission with better resources, such as helicopters and medical facilities, which the current Kenya-led mission lacks. And allow for the deployment of military forces from other nations, an area where the U.S. has struggled to gain support under the current framework.

However, this transition would require approval from the UN Security Council, raising concerns about whether member states, particularly China and Russia, would back the initiative.

The consideration of this shift underscores the challenges the U.S. has faced in mobilizing support for the MSS mission outside traditional UN channels.

Canadian Ambassador to the UN Robert Rae, who visited Haiti recently, emphasized the need to discuss strengthening the security mission. Rae told the Miami Herald that the approval of such a mission would depend on securing the agreement of the Security Council's permanent members which had previously opposed alternative measures.

The Kenyan mission currently includes 400 police officers, with an additional 250 military and police officers from Jamaica expected to arrive soon. However, critics argue that even the initially projected 2,500 personnel would be insufficient to make a significant impact.

Haitian government officials have also expressed concerns about the mission's effectiveness, particularly regarding equipment shortages and the lack of security personnel to safeguard upcoming elections. Gangs controlling 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince are reportedly undeterred by current forces.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit Haiti this week to meet with key Haitian leaders, including Prime Minister Garry Conille and the head of the Transitional Presidential Council, Edgard Leblanc. Blinken's visit will focus on security and the future of the MSS mission, which is up for renewal by the UN Security Council on September 30. T