UN (AP) – The UN Security Council voted on Tuesday to grant its expanded authority to a much larger 5,550-member international force to stop the escalation Gang violence in Haiti.
Resolutions co-sponsored by United States and Panama, It converts the current Kenya-led multinational force into “gang suppression forces” that have the power to arrest gang members that are not in the current units.
The vote was 12-0, with Russia, China and Pakistan abstaining.
US Ambassador Mike Waltz said the resolution’s adoption would “provide Haiti Hope.”
“A hope that is slipping rapidly as terrorist gangs expanded their territory, raped, plundered, murdered and terrified the Haitian population… (and) put the very existence of the Haitian state in danger.”
The gang has been in power ever since. President Jovenel Moys assassination 2021. They are now Manage 90% of capitalPort-au-prince, and expanded their activities, including looting, lure, sexual assault, rape, In the countryside. Haiti has not had a president since its assassination.
The US Embassy in Port-au-Prince said the message from the Security Council was clear. “The era of immunity is over for those seeking to destabilise Haiti.”
Panama’s UN ambassador to UN, Eloi Alfaro de Alba, said he is confident that the co-sponsors “through this power it is possible to reestablish the security necessary for political reconstruction and election retention.”
However, China’s UN ambassador, Fu Kong, has been extremely critical of the solution, and “is at risk of exacerbating the already complicated and disastrous situation in Haiti,” he said.
He especially criticized the United States. Not only did he fail to provide the promised funding to Kenya-led troops, he also owed $800 million in the UN peacekeeping budget, but also called on other countries to share the financial burden of the new gang oppressive forces.
Russia’s UN ambassador to the United Nations Vasily Nevenzia said Moscow had abstained as the Security Council was “squeezing again into a dangerous and unconsidered venture.” Previous UN resolutions “fail to produce sustainable outcomes, and there are all reasons to believe that this new mission will fulfill the same fate under yet another grand title,” he said.
The first Kenyans arrived in Haiti in June 2024, and the unit was supposed to have a 2,500 troops, but suffered from a lack of funds, and are now less than 1,000.
The seven-page resolution expresses gratitude to Kenya for leading the multinational forces, but reaffirms Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ discoveries in February, saying it needs to be addressed and expanded in response to the dramatic expansion of the gang. Current troop missions expire on Thursday.
This resolution was adopted under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. This means that it can be enforced militarily. This allows UN member states to work with the Haitian government for the first 12 months to move towards gang suppression.
The new forces are permitted to be carried out independently by Haitian police. “To neutralize, isolate and block gangs that continue to threaten civilians, abuse human rights and undermine Haitian systems,” and together with Haitian police and military, they are also permitted to provide security to critical infrastructure, including airports and ports, schools and hospitals, and support Haitian efforts “to combat illegal human trafficking and the diversion of weapons and related materials.”
The resolution states that it will consist of 5,500 uniformed personnel and 50 civilians paid for voluntary contributions. The US envoy, Waltz, urged countries to donate personnel and money. The resolution calls on Guterres to establish a UN office to provide logistical and operational support to new forces.
Laurent Saint-Cyr, Leader Haiti’s transitional presidential councilsupported the vote on Tuesday.
“This vote marks a critical turning point in our fight against armed criminal groups that have caused sadness in our families, paralyze our economy and threaten the future of our nation,” he said.
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Danica Coto contributed to this report from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
