By Juhakenson Blaise
Overview:
“During a session presenting an assessment of the Haiti crisis to the UN Security Council, the head of BINUH, Maria Isabel Salvador, and several representatives called for funding of the multinational mission to support the Haitian National Police (PNH) against gangs. Like Salvador, Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille presented a gloomy picture of the situation in Haiti while promising that security would be restored in the country.”
PORT-AU-PRINCE—During a session on the political crisis and insecurity in Haiti, Members of the United Nations Security Council called Wednesday for substantial funding for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to the Haitian police (PNH).
Representatives from Guyana, France and the United States particularly highlighted the severe consequences of gang violence in the country, notably in Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas.
“Haitians deserve to live in peace,” U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during her speech. “This mission must succeed and have at its heart respect for human rights in order to gain the trust of the population.”
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield urged country members to fund the deployment of the Kenya-led MSS mission for its success, specifying that her country would contribute $309 million. An estimated budget of $600 million is expected to fund the mission for a year.
Furthermore, Thomas-Greenfield also called on the UN Security Council to consider sanctions against Haitian personalities and gang leaders who fuel violence in Haiti and promised that her country will not renounce sanctions.
For his part, Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille, who addressed the UN Security Council during his first trip abroad since taking office about a month ago, listed specific difficulties that his government will have to face to get Haiti back on its feet. Aside from gang insecurity, Haiti is experiencing an inflation rate in excess of 27%, according to the Prime Minister. He revealed that over 50% of jobs have been lost in the textile sector, representing a large part of Haiti’s exports.
Conille raised the prospect of a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the nation, where gang violence has caused the displacement of more than 600,000 and exacerbated food insecurity, which affects 4.5 million people.
The Haitian prime minister also highlighted the additional impact of escalating gang grip on Haiti’s education system, where around 500,000 children being out of school.
Some schools have been looted and burned, while others have become refugee camps and hideouts for gangs. However, Conille assured that Haiti was ready to take the road to change and guaranteed that security would be restored in the country.
Assessment from the UN Integrated Office in Haiti
The meeting was an opportunity for representatives at the UN Security Council to inquire about the evolution of the critical situation in Haiti. Maria Isabel Salvador, the head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), presented a grim report of the conditions on the ground, particularly in the Haitian capital.
Salvador highlighted how gang violence and serious abuses continue in Haiti, where criminal acts mainly affect children, human rights defenders, journalists and the judiciary system. She believes to overcome the challenges, a coherent approach to the relationship between the MSS and the UN in Haiti will be essential.
“Haitians deserve to live in peace. This mission must succeed and have at its heart respect for human rights in order to gain the trust of the population.”LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD, U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED NATIONS
Several representatives from countries, including France and Guyana, reiterated their support for the MSS deployment. To the French representative, Nathalie Broadhurst, the multinational force’s contribution to the Haitian police is crucial to restoring peace and democratic order in Haiti. She recalled that France has already contributed 3 million euros (USD 3.235 million) to the mission’s fund managed by the United Nations.
Guyana’s representative, Carolyn Rodrigues Birkett, also invited the international community to support the Haitian people, evoking the murder of at least 20 Haitian police officers by gangs since January 2024. Under these conditions, she explained that the Haitian police must receive the necessary training and resources to combat armed gangs and impose their authority in areas taken hostage.
In addition to financial support for the MSS, the Guyana diplomat asked members of the UN Security Council to help stem the flow of illegal weapons to Haiti. This position was also shared by the representative of China, Fu Cong, who called for greater control over the trafficking of arms that fall in the hands of gangs. The Chinese diplomat hopes that the deployment of the MSS will help restore security throughout Haitian territory, particularly Port-au-Prince—controlled by gangs at over 80%.
One of the major hurdles has been funding the MSS, which comprises 2,500 forces from different UN member states.
According to UN Info, a spokesperson for the UN confirmed in April that Canada, France, and the United States had deposited $18 million into the fund. Several other countries have also promised financial aid to the multinational force. At the time of the July 3rd meeting, no promises of new funding were made.
Gangs continue to challenge the authorities
Despite changes, gangs continue their attacks on communities and police infrastructure. A new director general, Rameau Normil, has been appointed as the head of the PNH, and a first contingent of over 200 Kenyan police officers has already arrived in Haiti. However, the gangs are increasing their attacks and killing members of the civilian population.
The latest actions include the deadly attacks on Carrefour and the small town of Gressier, a few miles south of downtown Port-au-Prince, killing at least 25, orchestrating numerous kidnappings and burning one sub-police station between June 30 and July 1.
This week, Prime Minister Conille announced that additional police officers would arrive in the coming weeks to bolster joint MSS and PNH operations on the ground. Haitian authorities eagerly hope for international support for the police in the face of gangs that say they are ready for battle.
Kenya’s representative to the UN Security Council expressed optimism about her troops’ ability to work with the Haitian National Police to dismantle gangs and create a secure environment for holding elections.
“The arrival of the first contingent of the MSS marks the beginning of a new era for Haiti,” added Conille, promising to regain total control of territories from gang grip. “This mission carried out with the support of Kenya is a vibrant testimony of international solidarity and a concrete step towards stabilizing our country.”
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