The U.S. has warned it may stop funding the Kenya-led Haiti mission if reforms are not approved.
The Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti is facing new uncertainty. Washington has said it could stop funding after December 2025 if the United Nations Security Council does not approve changes to expand and restructure the mission.
The U.S. wants the MSS to be turned into a larger “Gang Suppression Force” with around 5,500 personnel and more authority, similar to a UN peacekeeping mission. American officials argue the current force is too small and under-equipped to tackle armed gangs in Port-au-Prince.
Kenya leads the mission, supported by a few other countries, but the force has been running with fewer troops than planned. Nairobi has raised concerns over unreliable vehicles and limited resources that make operations more difficult.
Despite this, Kenyan officials say the mission is not about to collapse. They point out that the UN Trust Fund for Haiti has already collected over US$85 million, part of the US$110 million pledged. This funding is expected to keep the mission going until at least September 2025.
The dispute between the U.S., Kenya, and the UN reflects a deeper problem: how to stabilise Haiti in the face of growing violence. Armed gangs control large parts of the capital, and the violence has forced many people to flee their homes, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
At the same time, keeping such missions alive is difficult since they depend on voluntary funding and political unity, both of which remain fragile.
