KENYAN TROOPS’ DEPLOYMENT TO HAITI POSTPONED BY HIGH COURT

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By: Manny EJR

NAIROBI, KENYA – The Supreme Court of Kenya has postponed its decision on whether to allow Kenyan President William Ruto to send Kenyan troops to Haiti.

The court extended its orders blocking the deployment of Kenyan police to Haiti to lead a U.N Security Council-approved mission to combat gang violence in the Caribbean nation.

The High Court on Tuesday said that it would rule on the case on Nov. 9

Former presidential candidate, Ekuru Aukot, filed a petition on Oct. 9 against the deployment of Kenyan forces, arguing that the law allowing the president to do so conflicted with several articles of the constitution.

Aukot’s petition also faulted President William Ruto for agreeing to lead the international peacekeeping mission while Kenya struggles with internal security issues arising from militant attacks and most recently ethnic clashes.

The U.N. Security Council resolution, drafted by the United States and Ecuador, authorizes the force to deploy for one year, with a review after nine months.

Kenya’s national assembly has yet to schedule a debate on the motion to deploy the contingent, which is expected to be made up of about 1,000 police officers. The non-U.N. mission would be funded by voluntary contributions, with the U.S. pledging up to $200 million.

Haiti’s prime Minister Ariel Henry who, a year ago requested international assistance, has been implicated in the murder of Haiti’s president Jovenel Moise.

It is not clear when the deployment will start and whether the Court will rule in favor of Ruto. If the court rules against Ruto, it is not clear what other options are available to Ruto or the United Nations.

It took the United States and Canada over a year to find a country to lead the troops in Haiti. If Kenya is not able to do it, will the United States or Canada take the lead?