Parliament Approves Deployment of 1,000 Police Officers to Haiti Despite Court Order

16, Nov 2023 / 2 min read/ By Livenow Africa

In a controversial move, Members of Parliament endorsed the deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti for a peacekeeping mission, defying an existing conservatory order issued by a court against the operation. The decision was made during a parliamentary session, sparking both support and opposition from legislators.

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The motion proposing the deployment was presented in Parliament by the Joint Committee of the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security and the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence, and Foreign Relations. Despite an existing court order against the operation, the joint committee recommended the deployment, and the motion was subsequently approved.

Part of the statement from the National Assembly read, "Taking into consideration the recommendations of the joint committee, this House approves the deployment of officers of the National Police Service to the Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti."

Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei approved the motion for debate, asserting that the National Assembly had not been served with the court petition opposing the police service's deployment to quell violence in Haiti. She ruled, "Pursuant to provisions of article 248 A, this House approves the deployment of the NPS to the Multinational Peacekeeping to Haiti."

The motion garnered support from MPs affiliated with the Kenya Kwanza coalition, including National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah. Ichung'wah argued that the court should await Parliament's decision before pronouncing itself on the matter.

While the motion had backing from some MPs, it faced opposition from others, including Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo. Amollo accused Parliament of making a decision sub judice and questioned why lawmakers chose to ignore the court order.

Constitutional lawyer Ekuru Aukot expressed concern over Parliament's decision, noting that the case was ongoing, and MPs risked being charged with contempt of court. Aukot stated, "Our Parliamentarians disobeying court order. We are this morning before Justice Mwita in Court 1 for the hearing of the petition. Meanwhile, our Parliament has sold its soul to the USA to go clean the mess they caused in Haiti." The approval of the deployment despite the court order raises legal and constitutional questions, adding complexity to the ongoing situation.

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