The United Nations Security Council has voted to extend the mandate of the international security force in Haiti for an additional six months, a move aimed at combating armed groups that exert significant control over large swaths of the country. The decision received support from 12 member states, with no votes against it, while China, Russia, and Pakistan abstained from the vote.
Security ahead of elections
The renewed mandate will remain effective until March 31, 2027, coinciding with Haiti’s upcoming elections scheduled for December 13, which will be the first in a decade. The final results from these elections are expected to be announced on March 7.
The request for international security assistance was first made by Haitian leaders in 2022. Currently, the force is operating at less than 30% of its intended strength, as armed groups continue to dominate many regions of the country despite previous international efforts.
Mike Waltz, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, stated that approximately 1,500 personnel from the Gang Suppression Force have been deployed in Haiti, with another 4,000 projected to arrive in the coming months. He also remarked on the limited success of previous international missions in the country.
This vote followed a violent incident in Haiti’s agricultural region, where gang members reportedly burned homes and killed at least 11 individuals. Local authorities indicated that the attack was a retaliation in response to a GSF unit’s operation that resulted in the deaths of three gang members.
A prior incident last month saw at least 47 people killed and around 50 others abducted in Kenscoff, near the capital. The ongoing violence has resulted in nearly 1.5 million Haitians being forced to flee their homes, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Why It Matters
The extension of the UN mission comes at a critical time for Haiti, as the country faces severe security challenges ahead of its first elections in years. The effectiveness of the international security force will be crucial in stabilizing the region and facilitating a successful electoral process, as well as ensuring the safety of the Haitian populace amidst ongoing gang violence.
