UN extends Kenya-led force to tackle gangs in Haiti, but sidelines call for UN peacekeepers

By James On Sep 30, 2024

The UN Security Council has voted unanimously to extend the mandate of the Kenyan-led multinational force trying to tackle gang violence in Haiti, after rejecting a call from the Haitian government to start talks on transforming it into a UN peacekeeping force has rejected.

UNITED NATIONS — The UN Security Council voted unanimously on Monday to extend the mandate of the Kenyan-led multinational force helping to tackle gang violence in Haiti, after rejecting a call from Haiti to start talks on turning the country into a UN peacekeeping mission had rejected.

According to the final draft, obtained by The Associated Press, China and Russia succeeded in removing the paragraph from the resolution that recognized the call by the president of Haiti’s Presidential Transitional Council in the UN General Assembly “for a discussion” about the transition to a UN organization. peacekeeping force.

Edgard Leblanc Fils’ call last Thursday was the first public announcement of support by a government official since the United States proposed a UN peacekeeping mission early September as a way to secure more resources for the Kenya-led mission.

Nearly 400 Kenyan officers are now in Haiti, along with nearly two dozen police and soldiers from Jamaica. The officers lag significantly behind the 2,500 pledged for the mission by several countries, including Chad, Benin, Bangladesh and Barbados. There is also a serious shortage of funding.

Since July 7, 2021, gangs have grown in power assassination of President Jovenel Moïse and it is now estimated that they control up to 80% of the capital, and have moved into surrounding areas. The increase in murders, rapes and kidnappings has led to a violent insurgency by vigilante groups.

Leblanc told the annual meeting of world leaders at the General Assembly that while the current UN-backed mission has made some progress, “much remains to be done” and security continues to deteriorate.

He said Haitians still live in fear and cannot move freely around the country, work or send their children to school without great risk.

The short resolution adopted Monday extends the Multinational Security Support mission until Oct. 2, 2025. It encourages the mission “to accelerate its deployment and further encourages additional voluntary contributions and support for the mission.”