President Joe Biden held a joint press conference with Kenyan President William Ruto on Thursday at the White House, where the two leaders pledged continued support for efforts to restore law and order in Haiti.
Widespread violence carried out by gangs led the interim prime minister of Haiti to resign earlier this year, and Kenya stepped up in the spring to lead a multinational security support mission to the country. Kenya is in the process of sending police from Nairobi to the island Caribbean nation.
The United States has helped coordinate the MSS, but Biden was asked Thursday why he won’t be sending U.S. troops to take part in the peacekeeping mission.
“We concluded that for the United States to deploy forces in the Western Hemisphere just raises all kinds of questions that can be easily misrepresented,” the president said. “And so, I’m very grateful for President Ruto’s leadership here.”
In response to a second question on the topic, Biden again defended his decision, noting that the U.S. is “in a situation where we want to do all we can without us looking like America, once again, is stepping over and deciding ‘this is what must be done.’”
Biden did say the U.S. would provide the MSS with intelligence, logistical support, and equipment and that he’s working with Congress to provide $200 million in funding for the mission.
Furthermore, the president stated that “we’re kind of occupied around the world” and is actively facilitating humanitarian aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
On Kenya’s leadership of the mission, Ruto said his nation has taken part in peacekeeping operations in 47 countries over the past 40 years.
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“We have a clear mandate,” he told reporters. “We have a clear framework, and it is us, the people of Kenya, who made this decision in the interest of serving peace and stability as a responsible global citizen. Insecurity, instability anywhere is insecurity and instability everywhere.”
Biden’s press conference can be seen in full below.
