The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of a multinational police mission to Haiti for another year, as the Caribbean nation faces a surge in gang violence and instability. The resolution, adopted unanimously, expressed deep concern about the situation in Haiti, including violence, criminal activities, and mass displacement. The mission, led by Kenya, aims to assist the Haitian National Police in regaining control of areas under gang influence. The vote comes after a UN report revealed that thousands of people had been killed in the first half of 2024 due to gang violence in Haiti, causing mass displacement of the population. Haitian leaders have acknowledged that they are struggling to combat the armed groups responsible for the attacks and kidnappings across the country.
Haiti has been plagued by violence for years, with armed groups connected to political and business leaders vying for influence and control. The situation escalated significantly in February when gangs launched attacks on prisons and other state institutions in Port-au-Prince. This violence led to the resignation of Haiti’s unelected prime minister, the formation of a transitional presidential council, and the deployment of the UN-backed multinational police mission. Despite promises of troops from various countries, the force remains under-resourced, with only a fraction of the pledged officers deployed in Haiti. Experts have raised concerns about the lack of a clear strategy for peace in Haiti and the effectiveness of the police mission without proper oversight.
Leaders in Haiti have proposed transforming the security support mission into a UN peacekeeping mission to ensure adequate funding. However, this proposal was not included in the recent UN Security Council resolution due to opposition from Russia and China, emphasizing the need to give the current police mission more time to establish itself. Both countries expressed doubts about the conditions for deploying peacekeeping operations in Haiti and emphasized the importance of allowing the existing mission to fulfill its mandate. Some Haitians are wary of UN interventions due to past negative experiences, such as a deadly cholera outbreak linked to a UN base in 2010 and accusations of rape and abuse by UN forces in the country.
Civil society leaders in Haiti have cautiously welcomed the police mission as a necessary measure to combat the gangs but stress that the country’s problems cannot be solved through force alone. They advocate for additional support and training for the Haitian National Police, an end to corruption, and a political process led by Haitians. The current situation in Haiti highlights the challenges of addressing deep-rooted issues of violence, instability, and governance in the country. Despite ongoing efforts to combat gang violence, there is a recognition that sustained peace and stability will require a more comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of conflict in Haiti. The extension of the multinational police mission underscores the international community’s commitment to supporting Haiti in its efforts to restore security and stability to the nation.
