President Joe Biden recently hosted Kenyan President William Ruto for a state visit at the White House. The administration has held such events for leaders from only six other countries: France, South Korea, Australia, India, and Japan—all crucial allies and partners for the U.S. as it navigates intense competition with major powers like Russia and China. Ruto is the first African head of state to be honored with a state visit since 2008, when then-president George W. Bush welcomed Ghana’s former president, John Kufuor.
Kenya’s growing importance to Washington was further underscored by the country’s designation as a major non-NATO ally during the visit. This move positions Nairobi as the United States’ closest ally in sub-Saharan Africa. Washington’s heightened focus on Nairobi stems from Kenya’s historic deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti. This U.S.-backed, Kenya-led mission marks a first: an African nation deploying forces for a security mission in the Western Hemisphere. Kenya’s deployment to Haiti could signal a new chapter in U.S. security strategy, where partner nations take the lead in certain missions, freeing up U.S. resources for other regions—chief among them, the Indo-Pacific.
Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Haiti has been gripped by political instability and escalating gang violence. Gangs control a significant portion of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and their activities have displaced thousands and disrupted daily life. Haiti has also seen a revolving door of prime ministers amidst the surge in gang violence. In response to a Haitian request, the UN Security Council approved the Multinational Security Support Mission in October 2023. Led by Kenya, the mission aims to assist the Haitian National Police in combating gang violence, restoring security, and creating conditions for democratic elections. The mission is granted temporary executive policing authority, including arrest and detention powers, with additional contributions expected from the Bahamas, Jamaica, Guyana, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, and Chad.
Kenya’s upcoming deployment to Haiti builds on the growing strength and trust in the U.S.-Kenya partnership, forged through counterterrorism efforts in Africa against al-Shabab. Kenya’s expanding security role extends beyond counterterrorism, as evidenced by Nairobi’s participation in the Ukraine Defense Contact Group and a Red Sea task force. Washington places a high value on the Haiti mission. By entrusting Kenya, a proven partner in sub-Saharan Africa, with a leading role in stabilizing the Western Hemisphere, the U.S. signals a new chapter in managing global security situations.
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 23: U.S. President Joe Biden and Kenyan President William Ruto hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on May 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden…
WASHINGTON, DC – MAY 23: U.S. President Joe Biden and Kenyan President William Ruto hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House on May 23, 2024 in Washington, DC. Biden welcomed Ruto for a state visit including a bilateral meeting, a joint press conference and a state dinner. Ruto’s visit is the first official state visit to the White House by a leader from an African country since 2008.
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If successful, the Kenyan mission in Haiti could represent a turning point for American power. If it effectively curbs gang violence and stabilizes Haiti, the Kenyan mission could establish a model for the way Washington thinks about similar conflicts and provide a blueprint for future interventions. Kenya’s experience battling al-Shabab and other insurgencies makes it a valuable asset for a police mission in the Western Hemisphere. This mission serves U.S. interests by stabilizing Haiti, which has impacted neighboring countries. Importantly, it avoids direct U.S. intervention, a move that often sparks accusations of American colonialism in the hemisphere and around the world. Disillusionment with America’s “forever wars” has significantly reduced the public’s appetite for deploying troops around the globe. Furthermore, Washington doesn’t have the same resources to deploy multiple security and military missions around the world to offer security as a public good—an inherited and self-proclaimed feature of American global hegemony.
The Kenyan deployment in Haiti presents a strategic opportunity. By leveraging this model, Washington can enlist other capable allies with a surplus of military resources. This approach fills security vacuums around the globe where direct U.S. troop commitment is untenable. Envision Egypt assuming a stabilizing role in Sudan, Morocco in West Africa, or Arab partners in Libya and Gaza. American power in this era of great-power competition hinges on strategic ingenuity. The outdated post-World War playbook no longer applies in a world teeming with new aspirants, regional powers, and those harboring grievances from the past. The success of the Kenyan mission in Haiti hinges on unwavering U.S. support. Washington must provide a robust package encompassing material aid, intelligence sharing, logistical coordination, and resolute political backing. Washington, the ultimate offshore balancer, can empower regional actors like Kenya, orchestrating a strategic shift from a boots-on-the-ground presence to material support. Doing so bolsters friendly militaries, equipping them to shoulder a greater share of the global security burden.
Mohammed Soliman is a director at the Middle East Institute, a member of McLarty Associates, and a visiting fellow at Third Way. On X: @ThisIsSoliman
The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.
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Publish date : 2024-06-04 14:34:07
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