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Ruto affirms Kenya's commitment to Haiti police deployment

President William Ruto. (Photo: PCS)

By Mary Wambui | Saturday, April 13, 2024

The Presidential Transition Council was formed on Friday following intense consultations by the leadership of the Caribbean Community member states.

President William Ruto has reiterated Kenya's commitment to sending its officers to Haiti following the establishment of the Presidential Transition Council (PTC).

In a statement, the President said the PTC is evident of the collective courage and singular sacrifice of the Haitian Council of Cabinet to forge a Haiti free of violence and to entrench a new democratic administration.

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"Kenya reiterates its strong solidarity with Haiti and stands ready to make its contribution within the framework elaborated in the UN Security Council Resolution 2699 of 2023," President Ruto said in a statement on Saturday.

The Council was formed on Friday following intense consultations by the leadership of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member states and after weeks of squabbling by local politicians.

It will be tasked with "rapidly" appointing a new prime minister and a government "inclusive" of Haiti's various political factions.

The formation of the council is also a first step toward holding a presidential election by early 2026.

Backs political transition

President Ruto expressed confidence that the new political leadership will lay a strong foundation for resolution of the crisis in Haiti, restoration of security, afford the Haitian people a political transition and usher in sustainable peace and development.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry and President William Ruto are pictured at the State House in Nairobi on March 1, 2024. (Photo: PCS)

"I welcome the formal Proclamation by Decree establishing the Presidential Transition Council (PTC) of the Republic of Haiti. We look forward to the PTC moving with speed to appoint the Prime Minister and Cabinet," the statement added.

A decree in Haiti's official gazette "Le Moniteur" announced the council's formation, a month after Prime Minister Ariel Henry said he would step down amid a wave of attacks by armed gangs in the capital.

"The Presidential Transition Council exercises specific presidential powers during the transition period until the investiture of the elected President, which must take place no later than February 7, 2026," the decree issued on Friday said.

CARICOM said the council "signals the possibility of a new beginning for Haiti."

The formation of the council now brings the deployment of Kenya's police officers to Haiti closer as signaled by President Ruto last month during a telephone conversation with the United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"I assured Secretary Blinken that Kenya will take leadership of the UN Security Support Mission in Haiti to restore peace and security in Haiti as soon as the Presidential Council is in place under an agreed process," the president said at the time.