The United Nations has extended its security mission in Haiti for another year to support stability amid ongoing unrest. Learn more about the renewed mandate and its objectives.
On Monday, the U.N. Security Council unanimously voted to extend the mandate of the Kenya-led multinational force addressing gang violence in Haiti. This decision was made despite Haiti’s request to initiate discussions on converting it into a U.N. peacekeeping mission being set aside.
According to the final draft obtained by The Associated Press, China and Russia managed to remove a paragraph from the resolution. This omitted part acknowledged Haiti’s transitional presidential council president’s call at the U.N. General Assembly “to start a discussion” about initiating a U.N. peacekeeping force.
Edgard Leblanc Fils’s announcement last Thursday marked the first public endorsement by a government official since the United States proposed a UN peacekeeping mission in early September, aimed at bolstering resources for the Kenya-led initiative.
Almost 400 Kenyan officers have now arrived in Haiti, accompanied by nearly two dozen police officers and soldiers from Jamaica. However, this deployment falls well short of the 2,500 personnel pledged by several countries such as Chad, Benin, Bangladesh, and Barbados for the mission. Additionally, there is a significant funding shortfall.
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield informed the Security Council that the unanimous 15-0 vote “sends a powerful message to the people of Haiti: The world stands with you. We are steadfast in our endeavors to reinstate security and stability, guiding your nation towards peace and lasting tranquility.”
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She emphasized the urgent need for additional financial contributions to support the multinational force and urged council members to respond to Haiti’s request for a U.N.-funded peacekeeping operation.
According to a high-ranking U.S. official, the adoption of the resolution will initiate an effort by the United States to collaborate with Haitian authorities and partners in transforming the operation into a peacekeeping force. The official, who spoke anonymously in accordance with Biden administration guidelines, emphasized that those opposing a U.N. force would need to justify their stance against this request from Haiti’s government.
China’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Geng Shuang, responded by stating that “The U.N. has deployed numerous peacekeeping missions in Haiti; however, the outcomes have consistently fallen short of expectations and have provided deeply significant lessons.”
He urged the enforcement of the Kenya-led force’s mandate, emphasizing that considering alternative options at this stage would disrupt its functioning. He also noted that peacekeeping operations are not “a panacea.”
“Haiti is not currently in a position to accommodate the deployment of peacekeeping operations,” Geng informed the council following the vote.
Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassador, Dmitry Polyansky, echoed his Chinese ally by noting that only three months have passed since the deployment of Kenyan officers and expressing Russia’s expectation for the multinational force to broaden its presence.
“Until this occurs, we believe it is premature to plan any transformation or changes to our international presence,” he stated.
