The US administration has reiterated its support for the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.
They have allayed fears about a prospective funding freeze, which had raised questions about the future of the peacekeeping effort.
In a statement issued Thursday, February 6, 2025, the US Embassy in Nairobi highlighted that the Trump administration is committed to the mission.
The embassy’s statement on X (previously Twitter) echoed a message from the US Embassy in Haiti, emphasizing sustained American financial and logistical support for the Caribbean nation’s security efforts.
The US Embassy in Nairobi said that new Secretary of State Marco Rubio reaffirmed America’s commitment to the Haiti mission during a phone chat 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 stated that America’s backing for the MSS mission was intact and would be unaffected by Washington’s financial block.
“The United States has not paused all assistance for the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti,” US Embassy Haiti stated.
“On the contrary, Secretary Rubio approved waivers to allow for millions of dollars in mission-critical assistance to the MSS mission and Haitian National Police (HNP).”
According to America’s embassy in Haiti, the US Department of State approved waivers for $40.7 million in foreign assistance, guaranteeing that the MSS mission receives ongoing logistical and operational support.
“The Department of State approved waivers for $40.7 million in foreign assistance to benefit the HNP and MSS mission,” the embassy noted.
“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.”
Furthermore, the United States government emphasized its continued material support for the mission.
They emphasized that as recently as Wednesday, February 5, 2025, the United States provided much-needed heavy armored equipment to the MSS mission and HNP in Port-au-Prince.
MSS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge, speaking to the press on Thursday, February 6, 2025, denied that the US government had discontinued funding the peace mission in conflict-torn Haiti.
He guaranteed that the peace mission in Haiti remained a major priority for the US government and that the endeavor to restore peace will continue.
“I want to address and correct misinformation circulating across various media platforms suggesting that the US has suspended assistance to the MSS,” Otunge stated.
“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 added.
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