The Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) in Haiti has been boosted with the arrival of troops from El Salvador on February 4, 2025.
Salvadoran forces who touched down at Toussaint Louverture International Airport joined other MSS contingents already in Haiti, including personnel from Kenya, Jamaica, Guatemala, the Bahamas and Belize.
The contingent was received by President Leslie Voltaire, Haitian Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) accompanied by Police Nationale d’Haïti (PNH) Director General Normil Rameau and MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge.
“The Multinational Security Support (MSS) personnel in Haiti have expanded with the arrival of troops from El Salvador. On February 4, 2025, Salvadoran forces landed at Toussaint Louverture International Airport to join the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) in Haiti,” MSS stated.
Speaking after the shortly afterwards, President Voltaire emphasized that the arrival of the Salvadoran troops would strengthen MSS operations in Haiti. He expressed gratitude to the government of El Salvador for the deployment, noting that the troops would bring valuable expertise gained from their efforts to combat gang violence in their own country.
Voltaire reiterated the Haitian government’s commitment to providing all necessary support to the MSS mission and stressed the importance of collaboration between the MSS forces and the PNH in restoring security.
Otunge’s remarks
On his part, Otunge warmly welcomed the Salvadoran contingent, highlighting their critical role in fulfilling the MSS’s mandate to restore peace and stability in Haiti. He commended President Voltaire, the Haitian leadership, and MSS partner nations for their ongoing support of the mission.
Otunge also acknowledged the Canadian government’s key role in facilitating the Salvadoran troops’ deployment and expressed appreciation to other contributing nations, including France, for their continued support.
The addition of the Salvadoran contingent comes at a time when the mission remains at a crossroads.
On the positive the forces arrival is expected to add valuable expertise in air support operations, particularly in casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). The arrival of helicopters, expected by the end of the week, will further enhance the mission’s evacuation capacity.
Meanwhile, the mission is grappling with financial and headwinds following the announcement from the United States of putting and an end to the funding of the UN backed mission in the country.
US stops Haiti mission funding
The US communicated its decision to the United Nations on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, marking an end to the Ksh1.9 billion trust fund that was crucial in financing the multinational force.
This comes after Kenya Police Service transferred control of its third Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Haiti to Guatemalan forces a fortnight ago in January, 22, 2025.
The US has been the biggest contributor to the mission, which was launched last year and is struggling with a lack of funding and personnel.
Funding has been impacted by US President Donald Trump’s move to impose a sweeping freeze on foreign assistance, leading to thousands of US Aid agency employees and contractors being laid off and programs worldwide shut down.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric bemoaned the move, saying it would adversely affect the mission.
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