By Ambassador James Kariuki
The crisis in Haiti has affected the lives of Haitians for far too long. Schools are closed, hospitals have run out of supplies and access to food is severely limited. We continue to hear chilling accounts of gangs using sexual violence and gender-based violence as a means to control the population.
We commend the recent arrival of members of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) to Haiti and pay tribute to Kenya’s leadership of this mission. The mission remains vital to supporting Haitian efforts to resolve instability. The UK has pledged over $6 million to support it.
The appointment of Prime Minister Conille and a cabinet to lead the transitional government is an important development, which we strongly welcome. We urge Haitian political and civil society, with the active participation of women and youth, to seize this opportunity to address the root causes of the security crisis and to create the conditions necessary for lasting change. Prime Minister, you have our support in this vital task.
Let me reiterate also, as the Council considers the renewal of BINUH’s mandate, the United Kingdom’s full support to the SRSG and the mission. BINUH will continue to play an important role in supporting the transitional government. This should be coordinated with the MSS mission.
These developments have created positive momentum in Haiti. It is vital that the international community now supports Haiti’s transitional government to take advantage of this, to bring about the stability and security that the Haitian people so desperately need and that they deserve.