El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly has approved the deployment of a military contingent to assist Haiti’s Multinational Mission for Security Support (MMSS). This move follows President Nayib Bukele’s earlier proposal for aid aimed at resolving Haiti’s security issues. The ratification garnered 57 out of 60 votes, indicating strong legislative support. The Salvadoran forces will stay in Haiti as long as the mission continues, aligning with a broader international effort to support Haiti’s security challenges.
In a decisive move to address the security challenges faced by Haiti, the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador has approved the deployment of a military contingent to support the Multinational Mission for Security Support (MMSS) in Haiti. This decision comes in light of the El Salvador government’s previous success in combating local gang violence through elite anti-gang units since 2022. President Nayib Bukele had initially proposed assistance to Haiti in March 2024 to help tackle the same issues of insecurity and violence. The agreement pertaining to the MMSS in Haiti was ratified by a substantial majority, with 57 votes in favor out of a possible 60 in the Assembly, illustrating robust legislative support for this initiative. The objective of El Salvador’s engagement is to bolster the security framework in Haiti by enhancing international cooperation and support. Following the formal ratification, the Salvadoran military contingent is set to remain in Haiti as long as the multinational mission is operational. This development occurs in the context of an agreement signed between Haiti and Kenya in July, with El Salvador’s participation formalized on October 3, 2024, during a session at the Organization of American States (OAS) located in Washington, D.C. Patricia Aguilera Bran, the Legal Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of El Salvador, emphasized the commitment of her government by stating, “We want to support them [the Haitians] as much as possible,” highlighting that 13 other nations have also answered Haiti’s call for assistance by signing onto the agreement.
The growing instability in Haiti, characterized by rampant violence and the emergence of armed gangs, has prompted calls for international support to restore order. El Salvador, having recently made strides in reducing gang violence domestically, has positioned itself as a potential stabilizing force in Haiti. The endorsement from the Salvadoran Legislative Assembly marks a significant commitment to address the challenges faced by the Haitian population, following similar international interventions aimed at enhancing security and governance in the troubled nation.
The approval of the military deployment by El Salvador signals a concerted effort to contribute to the stabilization of Haiti amidst ongoing violence and insecurity crises. By joining the MMSS, El Salvador seeks to enhance Haiti’s capacity to confront its challenges, fostering a collaborative international approach to improve the situation in the region.
Original Source: www.haitilibre.com
