The Haitian police force denies reports of unpaid salaries Conflict Matters

The Kenyan-led military has hit back after reports that nearly 20 policemen have resigned from the force due to unpaid wages.

The UN-backed security team in Haiti, led by Kenyan soldiers, has denied reports that some of its officers have gone without pay for months.

In a statement on Friday, the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti (MSS) said it “totally denies” reports that the police have not been paid for three months.

“All MSS employees have received their salaries, including monthly allowances, and no MSS official has resigned as stated,” the statement read.

“MSS officers are always motivated and fully committed to supporting the Haitian National Police. [HNP] in conducting decisive campaigns aimed at dismantling gang networks and restoring stability.”

The allegations of non-payment come at a time when the MSS is struggling to change the situation in Haiti, where armed criminals have unleashed violence, wreaking havoc on people’s lives and disrupting the country.

The UN estimates that about 85 percent of the capital Port-au-Prince is now under gang control. More than 700,000 people were left homeless throughout Haiti as a result of the violence.

Reuters news agency reported in an exclusive story on Friday that about 20 Kenyan officials have resigned from MSS due to salary delays and poor working conditions, citing three sources who did not wish to be identified.

In its statement, MSS said Reuters did not contact the team for comment before publication, but a spokesperson for the news agency said Reuters stood by the story.

The operation, which has come under intense scrutiny because of the poor record of foreign intervention in Haiti, has not been successful since the Caribbean island’s arrival in June.

Difficulties related to funding were present from the beginning. Despite what was thought to be a 2,500-strong police force, Kenya has only deployed about 400 officers since June.

Questions have also been raised about the stability of funding from the United States, the campaign’s main financial backer.

While US President Joe Biden’s administration has encouraged the Kenyan-led effort, it is unclear whether that support will continue in 2025, when Biden is ousted by President-elect Donald Trump.

In response to the lack of funding, US and other officials have pressured the UN to launch a peacekeeping operation in Haiti.

But a previous UN peacekeeping mission in the country ended in 2017 amid outcry over its role in reintroducing diarrhea and allegations of sexual abuse.

Security has worsened in Haiti since the assassination of former President Jovenel Moise in 2021. But despite the presence of the Kenyan military, gang violence has continued to rise, and the country continues to struggle to establish stable governance.

Haiti has not held a government election in years, which of course the gangs held to claim legitimacy.

In addition, last month, the transitional council tasked with restoring democracy in Haiti fired interim Prime Minister Garry Conille after only six months in office. The move raised further questions about corruption in the interim government – and the future of Haiti’s leadership.