Dominican Republic, Kenya call for funds for struggling Haiti security effort

Kenya and Dominican Republic Call for Urgent Funding for Haiti Security Mission

Top Diplomats Meet in Santo Domingo Amid Rising Gang Violence in Haiti

SANTO DOMINGO – May 13, 2025 – The foreign ministers of Kenya and the Dominican Republic have jointly appealed to the international community to honor financial pledges for the UN-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission deployed in Haiti, which is currently battling a surge in gang-related violence.

Mudavadi: MSS Mission Underfunded and Overstretched

Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, speaking alongside his Dominican counterpart in Santo Domingo, warned that the MSS force is facing severe logistical and operational challenges due to lack of resources.

“The situation in Haiti is dire. Without the promised funding and equipment, our mission risks being overwhelmed,” Mudavadi said.

Kenya has taken a leadership role in the MSS mission, committing to deploy hundreds of police officers to help restore order in Haiti under the UN-approved framework.

Dominican Republic Echoes Call for Global Action

The Dominican Republic’s foreign minister underscored the urgency of bolstering the mission to prevent further destabilization in the Caribbean region. He emphasized that the MSS is a collective global responsibility and not solely the burden of a few contributing nations.

“This mission is vital for regional security and must be matched with adequate global support,” he stated.

Funding Shortfalls Threaten Progress

Despite initial international pledges, actual disbursement of funds has lagged behind, hampering deployment timelines, equipment procurement, and field operations in Haiti. The MSS was approved by the UN Security Council in 2023, but its rollout has faced repeated delays due to budget constraints.

Kenya’s Continued Commitment

Kenya remains one of the few African countries actively supporting the Haiti mission. Its deployment has drawn international attention and praise, though domestic and international rights groups have called for careful oversight of the MSS’s operations and mandates.

Mudavadi reiterated Kenya’s commitment to the cause, saying the country’s contribution “is part of our global solidarity and responsibility toward peace.”