UN authorizes security mission in Haiti to combat gangs

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 2 (Reuters) – The United Nations Security Council on Monday authorized a foreign security mission to Haiti, a year after the Caribbean country asked for help to fight violent gangs that have largely invaded its capital, Port-au-Prince.

“More than a simple vote, this is in fact an expression of solidarity with a population in distress,” Haitian Foreign Minister Jean Victor Geneus told the council. “It’s a ray of hope for people who have been suffering for too long.”

The 15-member council adopted a resolution, drafted by the United States and Ecuador, authorizing the so-called Multinational Security Support mission “to take all necessary measures,” code for the use of force.

China and Russia abstained from the vote, fearful of authorizing the widespread use of force under Chapter 7 of the founding UN Charter. The remaining 13 members voted in favor.

“We have taken a step forward to create a new way to preserve global peace and security, responding to repeated calls from a member state facing a multidimensional crisis amid an alarming spiral of gang violence,” said the senior diplomat. American Jeffrey DeLaurentis.

The Security Council also expanded the U.N. arms embargo to include all gangs, a move China wanted. Haitian officials have said that the weapons used by the gangs are believed to be mostly imported from the United States. Previously, the embargo only applied to specific people.

“This is a very important decision. If the council had taken this step earlier, the security situation in Haiti might not have deteriorated to what it is today,” China’s UN ambassador Zhang Jun told the council after the vote.

The response to Haiti’s request for aid was delayed due to the struggle to find a country willing to lead a security assistance mission. Kenya took a step forward in July with a promise to send 1,000 police officers. The Bahamas then committed 150 people, while Jamaica and Antigua and Barbuda are also willing to help.

ELECTIONS

Following the council’s approval on Monday, it was not immediately clear how quickly a force could be deployed.

“Today’s vote is just the first step. Now the work begins to get the mission off the ground,” US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement.

Although it is not sending troops, the US government hopes to provide $100 million support the multinational mission with logistical and financial assistance, which could include intelligence, air transport, communications and medical support.

Countries have been cautious about supporting the unelected administration of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has said fair elections cannot be held with the current insecurity. Haiti has been without elected representatives since January.

The Security Council highlighted the “urgent need” for Haiti to move towards “transparent, inclusive and credible electoral processes and free and fair elections.”

The security assistance mission, although approved by the UN Security Council, is not a United Nations operation.

UN peacekeepers were sent to Haiti in 2004 after a rebellion led to the overthrow and exile of then-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The peacekeepers left in 2017 and were replaced by UN police, who left in 2019.

Haitians distrust an armed UN presence. The Caribbean country was cholera-free until 2010, when UN peacekeepers dumped infected sewage into a river. More than 9,000 people died from the disease and about 800,000 became ill.

The council resolution adopted Monday calls on countries participating in the safety mission to “adopt appropriate wastewater management and other environmental controls to protect against the introduction and spread of waterborne diseases.”

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