The resolution-checked by Panama and the United States, and supported by dozens of countries in the region and beyond-was adopted by a vote of 12 in favor, with three abstentions of China, Pakistan and Russia.
Under a 12 -month first term, the GSF will work closely with the Haitian national police (HNP) and the Haitian armed forces to carry out intelligence operations to neutralize gangs, ensure the security of critical infrastructure and support humanitarian access.
The force of 5,550 people will also protect vulnerable groups, will support the reintegration of veterans and will help strengthen Haitian institutions.
The multinational security support mission (MSS), authorized by the Security advice In October 2023, faced chronic under-funding, insufficient staff and a limited operational capacity, which makes gangs difficult which now control large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
Although the MSS has enabled HNP to find access to certain areas and infrastructure, it has struggled to correspond to the scale of the crisis. Kenya, which directed the MSS, also supported the new mechanism.
Haiti faces nearly 1.3 million people displaced internally, by increasing kidnappings, generalized sexual violence and gangs which control large areas of the capital.
Haiti is not alone
Presentation of the text to the council, the ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba de Panama underlined the urgency of international support.
“Since last year, this council has asked the Secretary-General to present recommendations to combat the multidimensional crisis in Haiti … Haiti faces an unprecedented multidimensional crisis that requires our decisive attention,” he said.
He urged all the members of the Security Council to support the initiative, declaring that this “would send a clear message to Haiti – you are not alone”.
United Nations Support Office in Haiti
The resolution also tasks to the Secretary General to establish a United Nations support office in Haiti (UNSEH) to provide logistical and operational support to the GSF, HNP and Haitian armed forces, including rations, medical care, transport, strategic communications and the rotation of troops.
The UNSEH will also support the organization of the Secure Haiti project of the American States and will ensure compliance with international standards of human rights.
A force against gangs
The United States, sponsor of the resolution, underlined the magnitude of the new mission.
Ambassador Mike Waltz said that the MSS mission did not have the scale, scope and resources necessary to lead the gang combat and restore a security basis in Haiti.
“Today’s vote makes this right. With this vote to transform the MSS mission into the new force of abolition of gangs, a mission five times the size of its predecessor and with a reinforced mandate to attack the gangs, “he noted.
“The international community shares the burden and lives up to its promise to help Haiti turn the trend. It offers Haiti the possibility of assuming responsibility for its own security. ”
Haitian government ultimately responsible
The Council stressed that the Government of Haiti retains “main responsibility” for national security and governance reform, including the fight against corruption, illegal arms flows and recruitment of children by gangs.
The GSF is intended to support the Haitian authorities while creating conditions so that the country is gradually taking responsibility for security.
A decisive turning point
The decision to transform the MSS mission into GSF marked “a decisive turning point” in one of the most serious challenges in Haiti’s already turbulent history, said the country’s ambassador after the vote.
Although the multinational security support mission was “precious support and a strong international solidarity signal”, ambassador Pierre Ericq Pierre stressed: “But reality on the ground reminded us that the scale and sophistication of the threat by far exceed the mandate initially granted to this mission.”
As the Security Council has granted a stronger, more offensive and more operational mandate, “this gives the international community the means to respond to the gravity of the situation in Haiti,” he added.
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
