Ruto engages UN's Antonio Guterres on fate of Haiti mission

Guterres commended Kenya for taking a lead role in the mission in efforts to restore peace to the conflict-riddled nation. 

Both leaders also discussed the United Nation's continued support for the Mission following concerns regarding the lack of adequate funding. 

Ruto has been pushing for the mission to be converted to a UN peacekeeping mission to guarantee funding. 

Currently, the mission has been receiving support from voluntary contributions, but a UN-based mission would require all 193 member states to fund the project. 

"I held a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during which we discussed the UN’s continued support for the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti," Ruto said. 

"He acknowledged Kenya’s leadership role and commended our steadfast commitment to our shared goal of restoring stability in Haiti." 

Further, Ruto briefed Guterres on the ongoing peace initiatives in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the outcome of the joint East African Community–Southern African Development Community summit that proposed a roadmap for sustainable actions. 

"I called on the UN to support the joint EAC-SADC regional efforts in implementing the roadmap for peace in eastern DRC," the president added. 

"Additionally, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to regional peace, security, and sustainable conflict resolution, emphasising the importance of continued collaboration between the United Nations and regional initiatives."