Kenya’s Haiti mission back on track

Kenya's President William Ruto says police from his country will deploy in Haiti within weeks to fight rampant gang violence, despite court challenges that delayed the mission. News24 reports that the country is aiming to lead a UN-backed mission to secure the Caribbean nation, stricken by violence, poverty and political instability. It is due to send 1 000 officers for the mission alongside personnel from several other countries. ‘The people of Haiti are maybe waiting, by the grace of God, that probably by next week or the other week, we shall send our police officers to restore peace,’ Ruto said. A UN Security Council resolution in October last year approved the mission but a Kenyan court in January delayed the deployment. It said the government did not have the authority to send police officers abroad without a prior agreement. Aside from Kenya, other countries that have expressed willingness to join the mission include Benin, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados and Chad.