United Nations — The UN Security Council criticized the Haitian authorities on Thursday for the lack of progress in achieving a political transition, and called for urgent reforms in the security sector to address increasing violence practiced by gangs and criminal groups.
The Council condemned in the strongest terms the escalation of violence in the poorest country in Latin America, noting human rights violations and abuses, including sexual violence against women, men and children, as well as human trafficking, migrant smuggling, murder and kidnapping of children by armed gangs.
The Council resolution, co-sponsored by the United States and Panama, and adopted unanimously, extends the UN political mission in Haiti until January 31, 2027.
Gangs have grown in power since Assassination of President Jovenel Moise In 2021. And they are now Controlling 90% of the capitalPort-au-Prince, and expanded its activities To the countryside. Haiti has not had a president since the assassination.
The Transitional Council has been one of the country’s highest authorities since April 2024. It was created with the help of Caribbean leaders after gangs were forced to close. The main international airport in Haiti The state’s main infrastructure was targeted in a series of unprecedented attacks that eventually led to… Former Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign.
The council was tasked with choosing Haiti’s prime minister in an attempt to quickly bring some stability to the country. Since its establishment, there have been three prime ministers. The council is supposed to be dissolved by February 7, but it is unclear whether that will happen.
Last week, the United States warned the Transitional Council against making changes to the government, as pressure mounts on the unelected body to move toward holding elections for the first time in a decade.
On September 30, the UN Security Council authorized the formation of a so-called gang suppression force to replace a smaller UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police. Understaffing and underfunding. US Ambassador Mike Waltz said at the time that the force “gives Haiti hope,” but there was no timetable yet for the deployment of its 5,500 personnel.
The resolution adopted on Thursday amends the mandate of the UN political mission to focus on facilitating a “national dialogue” to support efforts to hold municipal, parliamentary and presidential elections.
It calls on the mission, known as BINUH, to cooperate closely with the Gang Suppression Force and assist Haitian authorities in designing a program to disarm and reintegrate people formerly associated with gangs, especially children.