The Dominican Republic has urged for the strengthening of the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF) aimed at combating gang violence in Haiti. This call comes as officials express concern over limited progress in securing the safety of the Haitian population.
Concerns Over Gang Violence and Security Measures
The GSF was announced by the UN Security Council last year and is expected to expand its forces to a capacity of 5,500 uniformed personnel and 50 civilian staff between April and October. However, GSF spokesperson Igor Rugwiza stated that logistical issues have hindered the ability to reach this target within the proposed time frame.
Dominican Foreign Minister Ito Bisono noted that although there have been some improvements in security, the GSF currently lacks sufficient resources to fulfill its mandate effectively. Bisono expressed apprehension regarding the situation at a meeting of ministers during the UN General Assembly, stating, “There has been some advances in security, but it’s still frail.” He pointed out that recent troop levels had only climbed to 1,083 members as of July, far below the authorized strength.
Haiti, which shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, has been facing escalating gang violence, with many areas controlled by armed groups that local authorities struggle to manage. The country is preparing for its first presidential and legislative elections since 2016, scheduled for December 13, alongside a constitutional referendum.
The GSF is intended to be a more robust force compared to the previous Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission, which faced criticism for being under-equipped and under-funded. As of now, the new force includes personnel from Chad, Mongolia, Jamaica, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Sri Lanka, but remains significantly below the intended operational capacity.
During the UN General Assembly meeting, U.S. envoy to the UN Mike Waltz praised the GSF for its efforts to secure essential infrastructure in Haiti but echoed Bisono’s concerns regarding the need for additional resources. He urged participating nations to uphold their commitments to bolster the force, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by gangs in the region. He mentioned, “We need to let it get to work because, colleagues, while we debate words on paper here, the gangs are not stopping with their terror.”
Why It Matters
The stability of Haiti is crucial not only for its citizens but also for the broader Caribbean region. Strengthening the GSF could facilitate increased security, ultimately allowing Haiti to proceed with planned democratic elections and address the ongoing challenges posed by armed gangs.
