UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations Security Council Tuesday heard that gangs continue spreading terror and fear in Haiti and that the country was mired in a “complex and multifaceted crisis” encompassing security, economic, social, human rights, development and humanitarian challenges.
Haiti’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Antonio Rodrigue, addressing the UN Security Council.Haiti’s Ambassador to the United Nations, Antonio Rodrigue, who was among top officials briefing the UN Security Council on the ongoing political and socio-economic situation in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, said that the past three weeks have seen a targeted and sustained joint security operation against gangs by security officers with the international support mission (MSS) and Haitian National Police, particularly in the centre of Port-au-Prince, but tangible results have been “slow”.
He said the security forces “continue to face difficulties in maintaining control in disputed areas”, due mainly to a lack of both equipment and personnel. There are still just over 400 officers out of a hoped-for 2,500.
Rodrigue said more support was urgently needed for the mission to expand and allow safe elections to proceed.
“This double effort – restoring security and holding elections – is essential if we want to bring Haiti on the road to democracy and sustainable development,” he said, adding that this is why the President of Haiti’s transitional ruling council is calling for the MSS to be upgraded to a full peacekeeping mission, urging ambassadors to “look favourably on this request.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister of the Dominican Republic, Roberto Alvarez, emphasised the urgent need for international assistance to address the deteriorating situation in Haiti, stating that the criminal gangs’ control of Port-au-Prince has reached 85 per cent.
He told the UN Security Council that the recent massacre in Pont-Sondé exemplifies the ongoing violence, and urged for the swift deployment of a MSS force led by Kenya.
As the only State bordering Haiti, Alvarez said “we have every right to be concerned given the fact that the current situation has a direct impact on our country.
“At the beginning of this month, the National Security and Defence Council decided to bolster our operation to stop migration and reduce the constant operations to reduce the constant massive flow of illegal migrants,” he affirmed, emphasising that the government “cannot accept the senseless call to halt repatriations” and need to prioritise its own security.
“The guarantee of stability in Haiti must include the holding of elections,” Alvarez said, while also calling for regional cooperation to support the electoral process.
Kenya’s Ambassador to the UN, Ekitela Lokaale, said that highlighted that security in Port-au-Prince is “deeply concerning.”
Kenya, which has provided most of the officers for the MSS so far, announced that 600 more will be deployed to Haiti by mid-November and Ambassador Lokaale said that this will bolster the current 410-strong multinational force on the ground.
He praised joint operations with Haiti’s National Police, which have successfully secured critical sites in Port-au-Prince, including the international airport, national hospital, and seaport, despite significant resource gaps for a contingent designed to be 2,500-strong.
He welcomed the Council’s strengthened sanctions regime against gang leaders, urging stronger implementation to “curb weapons flow.”
“A significant resource gap remains,” he warned, while stressing “Haiti’s stability will only be accomplished through a multi-pronged approach that addresses the root causes of its challenges”.
Addressing the Council, the Deputy Permanent Representative of France Jay Dharmadhikari underscored his country’s distress regarding the worsening security situation in Haiti, condemning the attacks against the Haitian people “in the strongest terms”.
He highlighted the importance of the role of the UN in stabilising the country, noting the unanimous adoption of the Council’s latest resolutions as a demonstration of its “unity and determination”.
In discussing tools to support Haiti in its return to stability, he noted both the MSS and the use of Security Council sanctions, underscoring that these efforts must be accompanied by progress in the political transition process, welcoming the installation of the Provisional Electoral Council and encouraging the Haitian authorities to move forward with the roadmap for elections in 2025.
Ambassador Dorothy Shea, Deputy Permanent Representative of the United States, condemned horrific attacks against civilians in Haiti as well as ongoing gang violence aimed at destabilising the government.
She cited some signs of progress, noting gains on the political track, including the setting up of the Transitional Presidential Council in April, the appointment of a Prime Minister in May and a new cabinet in June.
“The US appreciates that Haiti’s leaders are putting aside their differences and working together to put the country on the path to free and fair elections,” the diplomat added.
