Joe Biden’s 30-minute night phone call with Ruto ahead of Haiti mission
United States President Joseph Biden Tuesday night had a telephone conversation with President William Ruto, where the former thanked the Head of State for Kenya’s agreement to lead the multinational security mission in gang-troubled Haiti.
The conversation happened at around 8pm with President Biden also congratulating President Ruto for successfully hosting the Africa Climate Summit last month where the continent took a common voice on climate change, to be fronted during the upcoming United Nations Climate Change conference to be held in November in Dubai.
The two leaders welcomed the successful vote at the United Nations Security Council, which approved Kenya’s request to lead the mission.
“President Joseph Biden, Jr. spoke with President William Ruto of Kenya today to thank him for answering Haiti’s call to serve as the lead nation of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. They welcomed the successful vote at the United Nations Security Council yesterday authorizing the MSS to bring relief to the people of Haiti, who have suffered for far too long at the hands of violent criminals,” a read out of the conversation by the White House said.
President Ruto had earlier promised the United Nations General Assembly that Kenya was more prepared in restoring peace and stability to the people of Haiti, who have suffered for far too long at the hands of violent criminals.
Besides the Haiti Mission and the Africa Climate Summit, the two presidents also discussed additional opportunities to promote regional security and mutual prosperity by spurring new investments, jobs, and sustainable growth.
“We will continue to engage on regional security, conflict resolution and the fight against terrorism to ensure the Horn of Africa has the room to focus on social and economic advancement,” President Ruto said after the talks.
The US has promised to support the mission financially and in any other capacity, a deal that was witnessed in a recent agreement between Kenyan Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and his US counterpart, Lloyd Austin Lloyd J. Austin III.
Kenya said that it is ready to send 1,000 troops to Haiti by January, who will be joined by other troops from other countries who will be joining the mission.
The Haitian government under Prime Minister Ariel Henry has been facing fierce threats from the organized gangs who have taken over the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The violence in Haiti has also affected children and led to abduction of people including foreigners who were on a mission.