More countries back Kenya's calls to change Haiti mission's mandate

Kenya's call for a change in the mandate of the UN-backed mission to Haiti has gained more support after 34 countries in the main bloc of the Americas backed the move.

Nairobi has asked members of the UN Security Council to transform the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti into a peacekeeping mission. This change will allow the mission to receive funding directly from the UN and provide security for operations against gangs.

The 34 countries that make up the Organisation of American States (OAS) have approved a request by Haiti's Transitional Presidential Council to convert the peacekeeping mission in Haiti into a United Nations peacekeeping operation.

Read: Kenya police mission rocked by Haiti power struggle

The bloc's Permanent Council made the resolution at its regular meeting on Wednesday. The organisation is made up of countries from Central and South America.

“To encourage support for the Haitian Transitional Presidential Council’s request to transition and the MSS mission into a UNPKO to provide more sustainable support for Haiti’s long-term stability, security, rule of law, and democratic governance,” read the resolution.

The resolution comes as the peacekeeping mission in Haiti faces funding challenges and a deteriorating security situation in the country. On Tuesday, the Federal Aviation Administration banned US civilian flights to and from Haiti for 30 days after a plane was hit by gunfire. All UN flights to Haiti were suspended earlier this week.

A UN spokesman said the commercial jet was hit by gunfire as it approached the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Monday, forcing it to divert to the neighbouring Dominican Republic.

The UN said armed groups had taken to the streets of the capital, with at least 20 armed clashes reported and several roadblocks set up to restrict movement around the city. Port-au-Prince's Toussaint Louverture International Airport has also been closed due to the volatile security situation.

Read: Haiti mission: Kenyan police warn gangs after attacks on US airlines

The OAS endorsement, to be ratified at its summit, comes after Nairobi backed calls for the mission to be redeployed. As it stands, the MSS is endorsed by the UN and operates under the normal rules of peacekeeping. But it is funded by voluntary contributions from member states. The US, Canada, France and the UK have been the MSS's main supporters, with Washington contributing $100 million so far. The US had pledged $300 million in support, but the remainder is stuck in Congress, awaiting approvals.

President William Ruto last month pledged to send a further 600 police officers to Haiti in the coming weeks, despite concerns that their UN-approved mission to rein in rampant gangs has so far been largely ineffective. Kenya has already sent 400 officers.

The mission is also facing financial constraints. A lack of funding has meant that the troops deployed have been unable to tackle the gangs due to a lack of equipment.

However, President Ruto has argued that the MSS should be upgraded to a peacekeeping mission, which would allow it to receive regular funding from the UN.

Such a proposal would require the approval of the UN Security Council, including all the P5, made up of the US, UK, France, China and Russia. The Council had previously rejected the proposal, given the underperformance of previous peacekeeping missions in Haiti.

In September, the Council unanimously extended the mandate for one year. However, it is not clear whether US President-elect Donald Trump will support the Kenyan mission in Haiti. He has previously warned that the US will not fund foreign entities that do not directly benefit the US.