United States Congress Blocks Haiti Funding
Congress Blocks Haiti Funding: President William Ruto has received another blow in Haiti’s mission after the United States congress blocked President Joe Biden’s request to fund Kenya’s mission.
According to reports, the United States Congress declined the move to release millions of dollars to facilitate Kenya and other police forces willing to go to Haiti.
The halt of the funding has been instigated by the chairperson of the House of Representatives alongside a top Republican on Senate Foreign Relations, who have both halted the $40 million requested by the US State Department.
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The congressmen have told the state that they need more elaboration and more details concerning the mission before approving the funds’ release to facilitate the deployment mission.
The legislatures further expressed concerns about whether Kenyan courts would allow the deployment and whether the Kenyan police officers could get to Port-au-Prince.
According to the congress, the money being held could prevent the deployment of the Kenyan police force to Haiti unless another country steps up to fill in the gap.
This comes after the US Secretary Antony Blinken announced at talks in Jamaica that the US government would boost its pledge to $300 million for the mission to lure more forces into the mission.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also held a discussion with President William Ruto about the escalating chaos in Haiti following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and pledged additional $80.5 million.
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“Prime Minister Trudeau highlighted that Canada will contribute $80.5 million to the MSS mission and noted Canada’s ongoing efforts to support Caribbean Community (CARICOM) members as they prepare to participate in the mission.”
It now remains unclear whether kenya will still proceed with the mission without the United States funds or the state will provide necessary information to congress to release funds before deployment.