NAIROBI – Kenya and the Dominican Republic have signed a historic agreement to promote evacuation and home evacuation of injured Kenyans deployed in Haiti under the UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM).
The agreement also covers dignified handling of bodies and logistical access through Dominican territory, and was signed during the first political talks between the two countries.
The agreement was formalized during an official visit to Santo Domingo by D Musalia Mudavadi, the main Cabinet Secretary of Kenya and the Cabinet Secretary of Foreign and Diaspora.
Mudavadi said the MOU is a testament to the Kenyan government’s commitment to supporting the MSS mission.
“We are grateful for the Dominican Republic’s cooperation in the MSS mission, which emphasizes the importance and value of the nations that come together to achieve sustainable peace in the region for the benefit of humanity,” he said.
Minister Alvarez thanked Kenya and Haiti for his solidarity and leadership role in MSSM.
He noted that the agreement represents a true commitment to those who risk their lives to achieve a safer future for Haiti and their region.
“We are deeply pleased that we have provided medical care to approximately 20 MSS members, providing dignified and caring care with the exemplary courage and sacrifice that supports the safety of our brothers’ countries and regions,” he said.
The discussion held at the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs touched on a wide range of mutual benefits, including trade, cultural exchange, security, and regional cooperation in the context of MSSM operations in Haiti.
Kenya is heading an unordered MSSM, established on October 2, 2023 under Security Council Resolution 2699.
Both leaders acknowledged the growing unrest in Haiti and ripple effects on neighboring countries, including the Dominican Republic.
They reiterated the responsibility of the international community to restore peace and stability in the region.
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He emphasized that the mission is an important pillar in the efforts to restore law and order in the troubled Caribbean country.
The two leaders also raised concerns about the ongoing shortage of appropriate equipment and logistics support for MSSM staff.
They urged the international community to increase their praise and pledge to ensure that the mission could be run at full capacity.
“Their excellence pointed out that before the UN Security Council, MSSM transformation into the hybrid mission currently under consideration is necessary and urgent,” Mudavadi’s office said.
In a further step towards deepening the connections between the two sides, Kenya and the Dominican Republic signed a memorandum of understanding on diplomatic training, paving the way for institutional cooperation between the Dominican Republic’s Institute of Higher Education and Kenya’s Academy of Foreign Service in diplomatic training.
The two countries also expressed interest in opening embassies in each of their capitals (Nairobi and Santo Domingo) to strengthen their diplomatic engagement.
The Kenyan delegation included Ambassador Monica Juma (National Security Advisor), Everine Mwenda Karisa (designated ambassador to the Dominican Republic), Mercy Odongo (Vice President, Vice President), and senior officials from the ministries of foreign and Diapora ministries.
On the Dominican side, there are Deputy Ministers Francisco Carabaro, Ruben Silier and Hugo FCO. Rivera and Opinio Diaz joined together with senior advisors and security officials.
