Ruto, Mottley Urge UNSC to Clarify Haiti Peacekeeping Mandate

Nairobi, Kenya — 2025-09-08 19:00 EAT. President William Ruto and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley have urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to give urgent guidance on the future of Kenya’s leadership in the Haiti peacekeeping mission before its mandate expires next month.

The Latest

Speaking at the Africa-CARICOM Summit in Addis Ababa, the two leaders warned that any delay could derail stability efforts in Haiti. Ruto said the UNSC must provide “clear decisions” to ensure continuity in the Multinational Security Support (MSS) force, which Kenya currently leads.

Status: Ongoing, as of 2025-09-08 19:00 EAT.

Context in Brief

Kenya volunteered to lead the MSS mission after Haiti’s security crisis escalated in 2023, with armed gangs destabilizing Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. The mission’s UN mandate, however, expires next month amid growing calls for a renewal to maintain international support for Haiti’s fragile security institutions.

Law, Policy, and Process

• Constitution/Acts: Kenya Defense Forces Act; UNSC Resolution 2699 (2023) authorizing MSS mission.

• Mandates: UNSC must vote to extend or revise the MSS mission before current mandate lapses.

• Required steps: UN Secretary-General expected to table mission review report before renewal decision.

Voices and Stakeholders

• Government: “The united call by Africa and the Caribbean for reparatory justice is a decisive step in restoring dignity,” said President William Ruto, Africa-CARICOM Summit, 2025-09-08.

• Caribbean leadership: PM Mia Mottley echoed the call for urgent UNSC action, stressing joint Africa-Caribbean solidarity on Haiti.

• Analysts: Regional security experts warned that a lapse in the mission mandate could create a “dangerous security vacuum” in Haiti.

Evidence & Data

• Numbers: 1,000+ Kenyan security officers pledged for MSS deployment; mandate expires October 2025.

• Documents: Africa-CARICOM Summit communiqué; UNSC Resolution 2699.

• Verification: State House Kenya press release; UN Security Council agenda notes.

Risks and Implications

• Security: Gap in MSS mandate risks worsening gang violence in Haiti.

• Diplomacy: Kenya’s role as African security leader depends on UNSC decision.

• Global Justice: Reparations call could gain traction in UN human rights forums.

What We Don’t Know

• Whether UNSC will renew the mandate before the October deadline.

• Timeline for MSS troop deployments beyond 2025.

• Impact of Africa-CARICOM reparations demands on global negotiations.

Timeline

• 2023-10-02: UNSC approves MSS mission under Resolution 2699.

• 2024-01-15: Kenya deploys first MSS security personnel to Haiti.

• 2025-09-08: Ruto, Mottley call for mandate clarity at Africa-CARICOM Summit.

What to Watch

• UNSC debate on MSS renewal (expected by late September 2025).

• Africa-CARICOM Reparations Working Group action plan.

• Possible US and EU positions on Haiti funding and mandate extension.

Related Coverage

• [Kenya Deploys Security Officers to Haiti Under UN Mandate]

• [Africa-CARICOM Summit: Reparations and Climate Finance Talks]

• [Explainer: Haiti’s Security Crisis and International Response]

Editor’s note: None.

Corrections: None as of 2025-09-08 19:00 EAT.