Kenya’s President William Ruto stressed the urgency of resolving Haiti’s crisis, even as the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) confronts serious logistical and resource challenges. Speaking at the High‑Level meeting on Haiti during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ruto acknowledged that the mission, created by a UN Security Council resolution on 2 October 2023, had deployed fewer than 1,000 personnel—mostly Kenyan—by June 2025, far short of the intended 2,500 troops for the UN‑backed operation.
Ruto thanked the United States for its assistance with transportation but criticized the condition of the equipment provided. He noted that many vehicles were second‑hand and prone to breakdowns, creating a significant danger to personnel operating in hostile areas. He warned that unpredictable logistics, transport, and support issues could jeopardize future missions if not addressed.
The United States, meanwhile, has reiterated its call for a scaled‑up Gang Suppression Force (GSF) with a broader mandate to restore security in Haiti. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said the proposal enjoys the unanimous support of all 32 members of the Organization of American States—a rare consensus. The proposed GSF would comprise more than 5,500 personnel, over five times the size of the current MSS.
With the MSS mandate set to expire on 2 October, concerns about gang violence in Haiti remain pressing. Ruto’s remarks underscore that the situation “can and must be solved,” highlighting the need for an effective, sustainable solution. The impending end of the MSS mandate and the potential expansion of the GSF will be pivotal in shaping Haiti’s security landscape in the coming months.
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