Fri Dec 06 21:30:41 UTC 2024: ## Kenyan-led Haiti Mission Denies Reports of Mass Resignations Over Unpaid Wages
**Port-au-Prince, Haiti** – The United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti (MSS), led by Kenyan forces, has vehemently denied reports that nearly 20 Kenyan officers have resigned due to unpaid wages and poor working conditions. A statement released Friday categorically refutes claims published by Reuters that officers have gone three months without pay, asserting that all personnel have received their salaries and allowances. The MSS further claims that no resignations have been submitted.
The mission’s statement comes in response to a Reuters report citing anonymous sources. Reuters maintains its story’s accuracy, stating that it did not receive comment from the MSS before publication.
The MSS, deployed to Haiti in June to combat escalating gang violence, has faced significant challenges. While initially planned for 2,500 personnel, only around 400 Kenyan officers are currently on the ground, hampered by funding difficulties. Concerns also persist regarding the long-term financial commitment from the United States, the primary funder. The future of US support remains uncertain following the presidential election, raising questions about the mission’s sustainability.
The ongoing instability in Haiti, marked by widespread gang control, displacement of over 700,000 people, and a lack of federal elections, casts a long shadow over the MSS’s efforts. Despite the mission’s presence, gang violence continues to surge, highlighting the complexities of the situation. Recent political turmoil, including the dismissal of the interim Prime Minister, further complicates the path to stability. The lack of progress has spurred calls for a UN peacekeeping mission, although past UN involvement in Haiti has been controversial. The MSS insists its officers remain committed to supporting the Haitian National Police in their fight against gangs, despite these challenges.
First Piper 