The United States says it supports the ongoing international efforts to deploy a Multinational Security Support mission for Haiti, despite last week’s High Court ruling that declared the deployment illegal.

US Department of State spokesperson Mathew Miller in a statement yesterday said their commitment to the Haitian people remains unwavering, and urged the international community to urgently provide support for the mission.

“We reaffirm our support of ongoing international efforts to deploy a Multinational Security Support mission for Haiti, as requested by Haiti and authorised by UN Security Council Resolution 2699,” Miller said.

He added: “The United States acknowledges the ruling by the Republic of Kenya’s High Court regarding the deployment of Kenyan police in support of the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti and the Government of Kenya’s stated intent to challenge this ruling.”

The statement added that it is urgent that the international community responds to the unprecedented levels of gang violence and destabilising forces preying upon the Haitian people.

“At the same time, we call for the restoration of democratic order through an inclusive political process in Haiti. We continue to urge Haitian stakeholders to reach consensus on power-sharing and inclusive governance.”

“The only legitimate path to long-term peace and stability is through free and fair elections,” added the statement.

President William Ruto’s plan to deploy police to Haiti for a peacekeeping mission suffered a blow on Friday after the High Court blocked the deployment.