The United States welcomed the UN Security Council’s adoption of Resolution 2793. This resolution redesignates the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission as the new Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti and establishes a UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) for logistical support. The United States and Panama proposed the measure, which was adopted under Chapter VII. The Council vote was 12 in favor, 0 against, and 3 abstentions (China, Russia, and Pakistan).
In his explanation of the vote, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz framed the outcome as a coordinated hemispheric effort.
“The United States is proud to support this resolution, which we put before the Council with our co-sponsor, Panama, to answer the call in support of Haiti. We are pleased that the entire membership of the Organization of American States, the Caribbean community, CARICOM, our fellow Council members, and Kenya were able to come together to see this resolution through.”
Waltz said the decision builds directly on UN guidance and responds to profound deterioration on the ground.
“Building upon the recommendations of the UN Secretary-General presented this February, the adoption of this resolution offers Haiti hope. It is a hope that had been rapidly slipping away as terrorist gangs expanded their territory, raped, pillaged, murdered, and terrorized the Haitian population.” He added that the expansion of gang control had endangered the “very existence of the Haitian state” and risked exporting crime and triggering a regional migration crisis.
The new GSF is designed to remedy the scale and capability shortfalls that hampered the Kenya-led MSS. Waltz thanked the lead nation and those who deployed or financed contingents. “We are grateful to Kenya, in particular, for its leadership in stepping up to serve as the lead nation of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, and to all those who contributed personnel to the mission, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Belize, and The Bahamas. We would like to especially commend Canada for its substantial contribution and work in support of the mission.”
While praising those efforts, he was blunt about their limits. “This was a mission that, through Kenya’s selfless sacrifice, has managed to prevent the complete collapse of the Haitian state. However, it was a mission that unfortunately lacked the resources to fully turn the tide against the gangs.” He continued: “Despite the laudable efforts of the MSS [mission] and its contributors, today’s vote is recognition that due to the lack of true burden sharing, the international community had failed to deliver a mission that was fit-for-purpose. It lacked the scale, scope, and resources needed to take the fight to the gangs and restore a baseline of security in Haiti.”
By contrast, the GSF is intended to be markedly larger and more muscular. “Mr. President, today’s vote sets that right. With this vote to transform the Multinational Security Support mission into the new Gang Suppression Force, a mission five times the size of its predecessor and with a strengthened mandate to target the gangs, the international community is sharing the burden. It is living up to its promise to help Haiti turn the tide. It offers Haiti the chance to re-assume responsibility for its own security.” Waltz noted that countries serving in the MSS have signaled they will remain under the GSF structure. “Their commitment is greatly appreciated as we work to expand the force.”
A core enabler is the newly established UN logistics arm in Port-au-Prince. “Critically, this mission will have the ability to scale up to a more than 5,000-person mission, thanks to the logistics support from a UN Support Office in Haiti. We applaud the Council for taking this step and demonstrating that the UN still has the ability to fulfill its primary purpose of maintaining international peace and security.” He also reiterated the call for voluntary contributions to cover the personnel costs of this new mission.
Waltz emphasized that a security surge must be accompanied by political and institutional efforts led by Haitians. “We would also note that any durable solution to Haiti’s security crisis must be grounded in a strategy that addresses the drivers of insecurity and charts a path towards a long-term, sustainable solution. For that reason, this resolution also tasks the Haitians themselves with developing, in conjunction with the UN Secretary-General, a plan for re-assuming security responsibility.” The text also acknowledges the role of regional organizations. “Recognizing the important role of rebuilding institutions, governance, and the rule of law, this resolution also acknowledges the key role of regional institutions like the Organization of American States. The efforts of the Gang Suppression Force, with the UN providing logistics support funded by assessed contributions, will allow space for specialized international institutions to take the lead in addressing these issues.”
Waltz underscored the Council’s oversight and the Standing Group of Partners that will guide the mission. “Today, this Council took an important step in reaffirming its commitment to the founding purposes and principles of the UN Charter. The Standing Group of Partners, as recommended by the Secretary-General, will now assume the responsibility of providing strategic direction, oversight, and political decision-making for this mission, as well as reporting to the Council. This vote was a key first step.” He closed with a regional message: “The United States is proud to have co-penned this resolution with Panama. It is endorsed by all 32 members of the OAS. We stand in solidarity with members of our hemisphere in answering this urgent appeal from Haiti to address a humanitarian and security crisis of global impact.”
