Haiti, Kenya, and U.S. Advance Plans for Anti-Gang Police Force Deployment

Officials from Haiti, Kenya, and the U.S. conclude planning conference without setting a deployment date amid legal and funding challenges.

Haiti, Kenya, and the U.S. have completed a planning conference for the deployment of a multinational security mission to combat gang violence in Haiti, but no deployment date has been set.
A Kenyan high court ruling has delayed the deployment, finding it unconstitutional without a police-sharing agreement between Kenya and Haiti. Kenya plans to appeal.
Officials are working on a memorandum of understanding to comply with both countries' legislation, with a final decision expected early next week.
The mission faces challenges including international funding and clearance, with an estimated cost of $515 million to $600 million for two years.
Violence in Haiti continues to escalate, with more than 3,400 people killed, kidnapped, or injured over the last four months, and January being the deadliest month in two years.