By Alice Njeri
Kenya and the Dominican Republic reaffirmed their partnership during talks in Santo Domingo on Tuesday.
Kenya’s Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, met with Dominican Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez to discuss trade, security and helping Haiti.
“Our discussions explored key pillars of collaboration, including the exchange of best practices on gender equity and the vital role of Parliaments in advancing national priorities through legislative and budgetary support,” noted Mudavadi.
They focused on the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) in Haiti, which Kenya leads. It’s a UN-backed effort to bring peace to Haiti and it matters a lot to the Dominican Republic.
“We are deeply satisfied to have provided medical care to about 20 MSS members, offering them the respectful, dignified and compassionate care they deserve for their exemplary courage and sacrifice in support of a brotherly nation and regional security,” he stated.
Mudavadi stated that the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) is a testament to the commitment by the Kenya Government to supporting the MSS Mission while taking necessary steps, including establishing evacuation protocols, to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Kenya’s personnel in Haiti.
“We appreciate the cooperation of the Dominican Republic in the MSS Mission, which highlights the importance and value of nations coming together to achieve sustainable peace in the region for the greater good of humanity,” he said.
The two leaders acknowledged that while the MSSM had made significant progress in supporting the Haitian National Police, challenges remained due to inadequate logistical support and equipment.
They jointly urged the international community to honour and expand their financial and material commitments.