SANTO DOMINGO (Dominican Republic), May 13 (NNN-KBC) — Kenya and the Dominican Republic have signed an agreement bolstering support for Kenyan police participating in a UN-backed multinational security mission in Haiti.
The deal follows the first-ever political consultations between the two nations, led by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi, and his Dominican counterpart, Roberto Alvarez, in Santo Domingo.
The two leaders discussed the security situation in the neighbouring country, culminating in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding covering medical evacuation and the repatriation of wounded or deceased personnel.”
More than 600 Kenyan police officers have been deployed to help address insecurity in Haiti under the multinational mission, which is now in its second year.
So far, 20 members of the mission have already received treatment in the Dominican Republic.
“The political consultations culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Medical Evacuation, Repatriation of Wounded Persons and Bodies, and Logistical Access to the Dominican Territory of Kenya Members of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti”, Kenya’s PCS said in a statement.
Mudavadi observed that the MoU is a testament to the commitment by the Kenyan Government to supporting the MSS Mission while taking necessary steps, including establishing evacuation protocols, to ensure the safety and well-being of Kenya’s personnel in Haiti.
“We appreciate the cooperation of the Dominican Republic in the MSS Mission, which highlights the importance and value of nations coming together to achieve sustainable peace in the region for the greater good of humanity,” he said.
On his part, Minister Alvarez said the MoU represents a genuine commitment to those who risk their lives to achieve a safer future for Haiti and the region.
“We are deeply satisfied to have provided medical care to about 20 MSS members, offering them the respectful, dignified and compassionate care they deserve for their exemplary courage and sacrifice in support of a brotherly nation and regional security,” he said.
While acknowledging the achievements made through the support of the MSS Mission to the Haitian National Police, they expressed concern that the security situation in Haiti is severely affecting the Dominican Republic and other neighboring Caribbean nations.
They emphasised that it is the responsibility of the international community to help restore peace and stability in Haiti.
At the same time, the two leaders expressed concern that the personnel engaged in the mission have been operating without all the necessary equipment and logistical support.
In this regard, they underlined the need for urgent action to correct the situation, calling on the international community to fulfill their pledged contributions, and even increase them, to enable the MSSM to operate at its full capacity.
They termed as necessary and urgent, the transformation of the MSSM into a hybrid mission, currently under consideration before the UN Security Council.
”This would provide sustainable logistical and operational support in a predictable manner. They urged the international community, particularly countries in the region, to remain consistent in advancing this proposal”, Mudavadi noted.
The two officials also signed the Diplomatic Training for cooperation and exchange between the Institute of Higher Education in Diplomatic and Consular Training of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic and the Foreign Service Academy of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs of the Republic of Kenya.
Mudavadi’s visit reinforces Kenya’s leading role in efforts to stabilise Haiti and aligns with the Dominican Republic’s strategy to build international support to end the crisis.
“Your support has been invaluable, enabling us to evacuate our personnel when they require medical attention and other critical assistance,” he said. “This mission requires significant cooperation, particularly in sharing intelligence and critical information, and (the Dominican Republic) has provided invaluable support,” he continued. “Our request is that we maintain mutual support and cooperation for the mission’s success.”
Mudavadi arrived in the Dominican Republic following a high-level visit to the United States, where he met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, DC.
Mudavadi heads to Brasília, Brazil, from May 15th to 16th for bilateral talks between Kenya and Brazil, with an eye on multiple agreements, especially in the key areas of political consultations, trade and investment, and agriculture.
The PCS will push for the deepening of the relations between Kenya and Brazil and the strengthening of the Agreements for the Promotion of Trade and Investments, where Kenya is exploring opportunities for increased trade and investment with Brazil. — NNN-KBC
