Jamaican and Haitian Leaders Convene to Address Security Concerns in Haiti
Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness met during the UN General Assembly to discuss Haiti’s security crisis, focusing on the deployment of Jamaican troops and regional cooperation against armed gangs as part of a Multinational Security Support Mission sponsored by the United Nations and Kenya.
In a significant meeting at the 79th United Nations General Assembly in New York, Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness engaged in discussions concerning the prevailing security conditions in Haiti. Prime Minister Conille articulated his satisfaction in addressing the imminent deployment of Jamaican troops to assist in the security mission in Haiti, specifically highlighting the importance of the promised equipment intended for the protection of Port-au-Prince’s bay. He emphasized the necessity for regional collaboration in combating armed gangs. Prime Minister Holness reflected on their discussions, which centered around restoring stability in Haiti and acknowledged the support provided by Jamaica, while also recognizing the expansion of such support as essential for reestablishing normalcy in the nation. Jamaica is poised to play a crucial role, along with a select group of CARICOM nations, in supporting the Kenyan-led United Nations sanctioned Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), which aims to restore peace and security following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise on July 7, 2021. Furthermore, the participation of Kenya in this effort was underscored, with President William Ruto indicating his commitment to evolving the MSS into a comprehensive United Nations peacekeeping operation. President Ruto also reported the deployment of 400 security officers to Haiti, with an additional 600 undergoing training for future deployment, reinforcing the global effort to stabilize the nation.
The political and security landscape in Haiti has been particularly volatile since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021. Multiple nations have been called upon to contribute to a security mission aimed at mitigating violence and restoring order. Jamaica, as a member of the CARICOM, has actively participated in discussions to support Haiti as it grapples with the challenges posed by armed gangs and unstable governance. The ongoing engagement between Caribbean leaders and the Kenyan government illustrates a collective approach toward international intervention and aid in Haitian affairs, emphasizing regional solidarity in the face of security crises.
The dialogues between Prime Minister Conille and Prime Minister Holness underscore the acute concern regarding the security situation in Haiti. Their commitment to deploying Jamaican troops as part of the Multinational Security Support Mission reflects a proactive stance among Caribbean leaders to collaboratively address the pressing issues facing Haiti. The anticipated contributions from Jamaica and other CARICOM nations, combined with international support led by Kenya, are vital for fostering a peaceful and secure environment in Haiti.
Original Source: jamaica-gleaner.com
