The United States has intensified its efforts to shift the Kenya-led multinational force in Haiti to a U.N. peacekeeping mission, owing to the growing gang violence crippling the capital, Port-au-Prince. Recent incidents of violence have escalated to alarming levels, prompting security concerns and causing disruptions, including the shutdown of the country’s main airport.
This push is part of the U.S. initiative launched earlier this year, aiming to secure sustainable funding for the struggling U.N.-backed force deployed to stabilize the situation. The background for this decision stems from the gangs' control over approximately 85% of the capital, highlighting the urgency for international aid and intervention.
The U.S. introduced the draft resolution to the U.N. Security Council, urging Secretary-General António Guterres to initiate planning and preparation for the transformation of the current Kenya-led mission. This turnaround could have significant ramifications for both the multinational forces on the ground and the Haitian populace whose daily lives are so severely affected by rampant violence.
Despite these developments, diplomatic obstacles persist. Russia and China have expressed concerns, delaying swift approval of the resolution. Russia has requested thorough discussions about the situation before any definitive action is taken, underlining the geopolitical intrigue often surrounding interventions of this nature.
The existing multinational force, originally meant to consist of 2,500 officers, remains critically under-resourced, with only about 430 personnel currently deployed. This number includes international police mainly from Kenya, alongside officers from the Bahamas, Belize, and Jamaica. The Kenyan government has pledged to send an additional 600 personnel, yet the need for comprehensive international support is more pressing than ever.
Political turbulence within Haiti complicates the security challenges; recent political strife led to the dismissal of the interim prime minister by the transitional council. Such instability has provided fertile ground for gangs to flourish, as the citizenry grapples with rising incidents of violence, kidnapping, and extortion.
The narrative of violence has intensified since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, significantly altering Haiti's political and security landscapes. The rise of localized vigilante groups trying to counteract the gangs is indicative of the desperation felt by many communities, yet these groups are often strained and lack sufficient power compared to the organized gangs.
Calls for international assistance are growing louder within Haiti's leadership, with calls for new peacekeeping operations garnered support from the Organization of American States (OAS). Still, the population remains skeptical. Many Haitians hold reservations based on the contentious history with previous international interventions, particularly the U.N. peacekeeping mission active from 2004 to 2017, which faced serious allegations of misconduct and contributed to a devastating cholera outbreak.
Recent reports indicate the funding for the multinational force remains critically low, as details emerge showing the trust fund financing the operations has received only $85.3 million of the pledged $96.8 million. This funding gap poses serious questions about the feasibility of sustaining such forces, driving dialogues toward establishing the U.N. peacekeeping option which could offer more stability and resource commitment.
The U.S. committed to contributing $300 million, but experts highlight this is still significantly less than the estimated $600 million needed to maintain operations for the deployed force for just one year.
The broader implications of transforming the mission from Kenyan-led to U.N.-led are being debated. While many view it as potentially stabilizing, with broader support and funding, there are concerns about the delay such transitions can create amid pressing humanitarian and security crises.
Haiti continues to be viewed through a global lens, with the international community monitoring negotiations and developments closely. The stakes are particularly high as actions taken within the coming weeks are expected to influence the state of security and the daily lives of Haitians grappling with unrest. With tensions between global powers like the U.S., China, and Russia also playing out on this stage, the discussions at the U.N. Security Council become increasingly indicative of both Haiti’s future and the balance of international diplomatic efforts.
