P-au-P., July 23, 2024 [AlterPresse] — The United States reiterates its call on international partners to further commit to the Multinational Mission for Security Support in Haiti (MMAS) and to support the renewal of its mandate, which ends next October.
“We call on all international partners to do more and give more, including funds for the MMAS, contributions to its budget, so that it can help the Haitian National Police stabilize the country.”
This was stated by the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas Greenfield, at the end of a visit of a few hours in Haiti on July 22. She was speaking at a press conference, which was attended by AlterPresse.
The deployment of the MMAS has been authorized by the United Nations Security Council since Monday, October 2, 2023, following a robust request for assistance, formulated on Friday, October 7, 2022, by the Haitian authorities at the time.
The mission’s deployment only began last month with the arrival of 200 Kenyan police officers, followed by another 200 last week.
The multinational force, led by Kenya, is expected to consist of 2,500 members from Kenya, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad and Jamaica.
The US ambassador to the United Nations announced additional aid to the MMAS without being able to say when this force will be completed.
The U.S. Department of Defense will provide a “substantial increase” in the number of armored vehicles to the mission to combat gangs that continue to terrorize the population, she promised.
The diplomat reported on her visit to the multinational force base and her meeting with the commander of the Kenyan force, with whom she discussed the needs of the MMAS.
“We know that progress is not linear. There will inevitably be setbacks and obstacles, and yet this mission has opened the door to progress,” Thomas-Greenfield said.
“We are working with the international community including the United Nations to ensure the existence of the mission.”
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Hope
The Ambassador visited Haiti leading a high-level delegation, including Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere Brian Nichols.
She met with members of the Transitional Presidential Council, Prime Minister Garry Conille and civil society associations, including young leaders dedicated to human rights.
The visit gives her a sense of hope, she said.
The Presidential Transitional Council is working to create a better future for the people, who share a commitment to reducing crime, strengthening human rights, and creating a more representative government, she said.
“Haitians deserve free and honest elections and a government that is accountable to its people,” she insists, at a time when the process of establishing the new Provisional Electoral Council is underway. A process criticized by some sectors, who denounce a lack of transparency. [mff gp 23/07/2024 14 :50]
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