The government has welcomed the decision by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to approve a new multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF) to replace the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) in Haiti.
In a statement on Wednesday, October 1, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei said Kenya views the decision as a positive step in efforts to restore stability in the Caribbean nation.
“The unanimous adoption of Resolution 2793 (2025) last night by the UN Security Council is a welcome development in the pursuit of a more peaceful and secure Haiti,” he said.
Sing’Oei explained that the newly adopted force creates a structured transition from MSSM, which Kenya had led since 2023, into a stronger force with an expanded mandate.
“The Resolution transitions the Multinational Security Mission (MSS) authorized in resolution 2699 (2023) (as renewed in resolution 2751 (2024)) to the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) for an initial period of twelve months.
“The GSF shall comprise a contingent of 5500 police and military officers bolstered by a UN Technical Office which will assume full responsibility for among others, the provision of logistical support for the GSF and resource mobilization,” he added.
Sing’Oei further pointed out that the mission is designed with stronger operational capabilities compared to the MSSM.
“The new Mission also has a robust mandate including conducting intelligence-led counter-gang operations to neutralize, isolate, and deter gangs,” he further said.
Sing’Oei noted that Kenya welcomes the transition having led the MSS and cognizant of the challenges the mission faced.
“Having led the MSS and cognizant of the challenges the Mission faced as recently articulated by President William Ruto at the 80th UNGA, and having co-sponsored Resolution 2798 in her capacity as a member of the Standing Group of Partners, Kenya certainly welcomes the transition of the MSS to the GSF,” he concluded.
UNSC adopted the resolution on Tuesday, September 30, after 12 countries voted in favor of it, while 3 abstained.
Speaking after the passage of the resolution, US Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said the MSSM lacked the scale and resources needed to combat gangs and restore security in Haiti.
“Today’s vote sets that right. With this vote to transform the MSS mission to the new Gang Suppression Force, a mission five times the size of its predecessor and with a strengthened mandate to go after the gangs.
“The international community is sharing the burden and living up to its promise to help Haiti turn the tide. It offers Haiti the chance to assume responsibility for its own security,” he said.
The GSF will comprise 5,550 uniformed personnel, including police officers and soldiers, unlike the current mission.
The force, which has been granted a 12-month mandate, will work closely with the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the Haitian Armed Forces to conduct intelligence-led operations to neutralize gangs, provide security for critical infrastructure, and support humanitarian access.
GSF is expected to draw participation from the US, Canada, El Salvador, Guatemala, the Bahamas, and Jamaica.
The mandate of the Kenya-led peace mission to Haiti is set to expire on Thursday, October 2.
On September 25, President William Ruto said Kenya will not pull out its police officers from Haiti without a clear plan for a new mission to take over.
“Our best position is that we have completed our mission; we were asked to step in, but one thing Kenya will not do is to walk away from Haiti without clarity on a transition.
“We will be there to make sure that the next mission is properly formed; it’s not yet clear when it will be formed, or how it will be resourced. There are so many things that are still hanging,” he said.
Ruto said the MSSM forces have managed to stabilize Haiti since their deployment in June 2024.
“When we went to Haiti, both the air and sea ports had been overrun by gangs. Today, they are operational. Schools and hospitals had also been overrun; today, they are operating. The palace was under siege from gangs; today, that is where the Presidential Council and Prime Minister sit,” he added.
