The United Nations Security Council has initiated discussions over the mounting crisis in Haiti, focusing on the need for enhanced international security measures to combat rampant gang violence gripping the Caribbean nation. The proposed resolution was put forth by the United States and Ecuador, advocating for the planning of a U.N. peacekeeping operation to succeed the current Kenyan-led mission aimed at assisting Haitian police.
The draft resolution, which emerged from recent diplomatic engagements, seeks to extend the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which assists Haiti’s law enforcement efforts, for another 12 months. This move is prompted by the deteriorative security situation, where gangs now exert their influence over approximately 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The MSS mission has largely been funded through voluntary contributions with limited troop deployment, primarily from Kenya.<\/p>
"The U.N. recommends this transition to sustain the achievements made by the current mission," states the document, which stresses the urgency for more consistent and effective international support. This appeal follows pleas from Haitian authorities nearly two years ago for assistance to tackle the rise of violent gangs defying law enforcement attempts.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who visited Haiti shortly before the proposal's circulation, vowed the U.S. commitment to the international mission and reiterated the necessity for long-awaited elections to restore peace and governance. The country has spiraled since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021, leading to devastating incidents of violence, including kidnappings and mass uprisings by civilian groups.
Despite initial hopes pinned on the MSS mission, the reality on the ground remains grim, with the Security Council voting set for September 30. Observers note the absence of significant progress since the mission's inception. Most troubling is the absence of troops due to various contributing factors including monetary shortfalls and global hesitation to intervene militarily.
The proposal outlined by U.S. and Ecuadorian officials emphasizes not just sustaining military stress but also building political processes moving toward stable governance, with international support required to oversee these transitions.
The proposed resolution must secure at least nine votes from the 15-member council to pass, avoiding vetoes from powerful members like Russia, China, the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. Past moves to extend the mission have seen abstentions from key players, reflecting the complex diplomatic environment surrounding Haiti's crisis.
The U.N. has had varying experiences with peacekeeping efforts in Haiti, previously deploying peacekeepers during significant upheavals—most poignantly after the 2010 earthquake and following governmental unrest. Efforts have also been marred by grave allegations of misconduct and the introduction of cholera, which resulted from inadequately managed waste disposal by U.N. personnel, leading to thousands of infections and deaths.
Local sentiment over the prospect of renewed U.N. peacekeeping forces is mixed, as many Haitians express distrust rooted deeply within the historical conduct of such operations. This reluctance is compounded by the disproportionate epidemic of sexual abuse reported during previous interventions.
The recent escalation of violence has been staggering, marking despair felt among more than half of Haiti's population, many of whom are facing severe hunger due to destabilized conditions. Currently, around 580,000 people are displaced. The latest crisis is characterized by widespread blockades set by gangs, which have effectively crippled the economy and halt humanitarian efforts.
The negotiations indicate the urgent need for the U.N. to adapt its strategies to restore some semblance of order and enable humanitarian aid to flow once again. Such measures are viewed as pivotal to not only reinforce law enforcement but also to enable the Haitian government to reclaim territory lost to organized crime.
Last year, the U.N. had appealed for any country willing to spearhead international initiative, finding receptive support from Kenya, which has committed 1,000 police personnel to the cause. This response provides some semblance of stability but falls short of full-scale international commitment and effective operational capacity to reclaim urban areas from gang control.
Looking forward, as international voices call for comprehensive reform within peacekeeping strategies, the outcomes of the Security Council’s deliberations may mark significant turning points for Haiti’s recovery response.
