The United States government has reiterated its commitment to the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, dispelling concerns over a potential funding freeze that had sparked uncertainty about the future of the peacekeeping effort.
In a statement released Thursday, February 6, 2025, the US Embassy in Nairobi emphasized that the Trump administration remains steadfast in its backing of the mission.
The embassy’s post on X (formerly Twitter) amplified a message from the US Embassy in Haiti, underscoring continued American financial and logistical support for the beleaguered Caribbean nation’s security efforts.
The US Embassy in Nairobi noted that the new Secretary of State Marco Rubio had reaffirmed America’s commitment to the Haiti mission in his telephone call with President William Ruto.
“The United States continues to support the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti. As @SecRubio
said in his call with President Ruto on January 27, we are grateful for Kenya’s leadership of this mission,” the US Embassy in Nairobi stated.
The US Embassy in Haiti had earlier announced that America’s support for the MSS mission remained firm and would not be affected by the funding freeze being implemented by Washington.
“The United States has not paused all assistance for the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti. On the contrary, the Secretary Rubio approved waivers to allow for millions of dollars in mission critical assistance to the MSS mission and Haitian National Police (HNP),” US Embassy Haiti stated.
According to America’s embassy in Haiti, the US Department of State authorized waivers for $40.7 million in foreign assistance, ensuring continued logistical and operational support for the MSS mission.
“The Department of State approved waivers for $40.7 million in foreign assistance to benefit the HNP and MSS mission. This includes logistical contracts to support forward operating bases, a vehicle maintenance contract to support for the MSS mission fleet, a medical services contract for the HNP, and transportation services for Department of State provided equipment deliveries, and contracts that support subject matter experts with the HNP,” the embassy noted.
Furthermore, the US government underscored its ongoing material support for the mission, noting that as recently as Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the United States delivered much-needed heavy armoured equipment to the MSS mission and HNP in Port-au-Prince.
“As recently as yesterday, the United States delivered much-needed heavy armored equipment to the MSS mission and HNP in Port-au-Prince,” US Embassy Haiti stated.
Adding that; “The UN Secretary General announced that implementation of the remaining $13.3 million funds provided by the United States to the UN Trust Fund have been paused. The $15 million provided in total to the Trust Fund represents less than 3% of the total funds that the United States is providing directly to support the MSS mission.”
More troops land in Haiti
Additional troops from four other countries joined the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti amid concerns about the US funding freeze.
The National Police Service (NPS) announced the deployment of additional troops from the Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, and Guatemala.
In an update on X on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, NPS said the head of the MSS mission Godfrey Otunge received the troops from the four countries on Tuesday.
“MORE TROOPS JOIN THE KENYAN-LED MULTINATIONAL SECURITY SUPPORT (MSS) MISSION IN HAITI.
“On February 4, 2025, MSS Force Commander Mr. Godfrey Otunge SAIG joined Haitian Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) President H.E. Leslie Voltaire in welcoming troops from El Salvador.
“The troops arrived at Haiti’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport and will now be part of the MSS Mission, which includes troops from the Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, and Guatemala,” NPS said.
The mission is on course
Addressing the press on Thursday, February 6, 2025, MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge refuted claims that the US government had stopped funding the peace mission in the conflict-stricken Haiti.
He assured that the peace mission in Haiti remains a top priority to the American government and that the mission to restore peace continues.
“I want to address and correct misinformation circulating across various media platforms suggesting that the US has suspended assistance to the MSS, MSS mission in Haiti remains a priority to the US government, as with any transitioning government structural adjustments are expected, however, as part of the US administration, ongoing 90 day review of development assistance, the MSS mission continues without interruption with all military mechanisms in place,” Otunge said.
