Haiti on the brink: The prospects and challenges of the Kenyan-led MSS initiative

As early as May 23, a Kenya-led Multilateral Security Support (MSS) mission is expected to deploy to Haiti to help it contend with unprecedented threats from criminal gangs. The MSS faces formidable challenges in Haiti, which has been plagued by complex political turmoil—including the recent ousting of its prime minister—and a collapsed economy. While the appointment of a transitional council responsible for choosing Haiti’s next leaders signifies a step forward, large uncertainties loom over the country´s political direction and security situation.

On May 24, the Brookings Foreign Policy program’s Initiative on Nonstate Armed Actors convened leading experts to discuss Haiti’s political and security landscape, the opportunities and challenges for the MSSM, and avenues for external assistance to Haiti.

Viewers joined the conversation to ask questions of the panelists by emailing [email protected] or on X/Twitter using the hashtag #HaitiOntheBrink.