Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it will be hosting a concert and cultural festival in solidarity with the people of Haiti.
Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei says that the Harmony4Haiti Concert and Cultural Festival will be held — jointly with Africa4Haiti (A4H) — on August 24, 2024.
The event — which PS Sing’Oei says will be more than just a celebration — will feature a series of activities tailored to highlight the rich cultural heritage of Haiti and Africa. The event is also aimed at fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.
The activities include; musical performances by renowned artists from Haiti and Africa, and cultural exhibitions showcasing Haitian and African art, crafts, and cuisine.
The event will also feature panel discussions on historical, cultural, and socio-economic ties between Haiti and Africa, workshops and seminars on sustainable development and humanitarian aid strategies, as well as a theatrical play titled “Arise,” which will depict the resilience and spirit of the Haitian people.
The festival will culminate with the launching of the A4H Podcast, a platform that will be dedicated to discussing the challenges and opportunities in Haiti and the broader African diaspora.
Kenya is currently leading a United Nations-backed Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission to help in quelling gang violence in Haiti.
Kenya and Haiti formally established Diplomatic relations in September 2023, to further cement existing cooperation.
“As a result, our bilateral relations have grown significantly strengthened by our commitment to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti,” the PS says. “Kenya’s commitment to the MSS reflects our unwavering dedication to global peace and stability. A testament to Kenya’s commitment to international solidarity and the principles of the United Nations.”
The MSS mission has seen substantial progress, with Kenyan forces playing a pivotal role in support of the Haitian government and the maintenance of security.
Key achievements, according to Kenya’s National Police Service, include the recapture of Auorite Portuaire Nationale Port, the reclamation of the General Hospital ensuring that healthcare services can resume for those in desperate need, and the liberation of Ganthier Town from gang control.
“Kenya remains committed to our medium-term plans including continued support in security, governance, and development initiatives,” PS Sing’Oei assured.
The Ministry has also come out to assure Kenyans of the safety of the Kenyan police delegation in Haiti, after report emerged last week of a Kenyan officer shot in a confrontation with Haitian gangs.
PS Sing’Oei says the officer was wounded on his shoulder while trying to drive out gangs that were looting from a track along the National Hospital-APN Sea Port road. He says that the officer is safe and sound.
The U.N Security Council authorized deployment of the MSS Mission, headed by Kenya, in close cooperation and coordination with the Government of Haiti, for an initial period of 12 months, with a review after nine.
