The mandate of the United Nations integrated office in Haiti is about to be renewed. This is what the Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere has said.
According to Brian Nichols, “all international partners express their support for the extension of the mandate of UNIOSIL” at the fourth meeting of partners of the international community in Haiti. “The UN provides critical expertise and coordination to our collective efforts for political progress, human rights, security and meetings.
Asked about the deteriorating security situation in Haiti as international partners talk about renewing UNIHRO’s mandate, Mr. Nichols said he recognizes that the security situation is difficult, but refuses to talk about deterioration.
“The security situation in Haiti has been precarious for some time. But I wouldn’t say it’s getting worse. I would say it is variable, given the time. You may remember that on New Year’s Day, there was a gang attack on the Prime Minister in Gunnariv? And we have seen eruptions of gang violence, and then periods of calm. You will remember, I’m sure, the blockade of fuel terminals around the capital a few months ago as well. So we see periods when the security situation improves and periods when it deteriorates. But overall, over the past year, I think the security situation has been relatively stable, but stable to a very disturbing degree.”
Nichols also reiterated the U.S. government’s commitment to continue “to support the Haitian people during this difficult time. “The United States has been a leader in the security effort, but also a leading donor to Haiti in general. Our training and assistance has helped increase the number of Haitian police officers from 10,000 a decade ago to 14,000 today,” he recalled while emphasizing that the U.S. has donated 60 vehicles to the Haitian National Police. 14 security experts have also been sent to Haiti, including eight this week, to support the police institution, said the American diplomat.
This technical support will include training in special weapons and tactics for PHN agents, Nichols said, taking the opportunity to send a clear message to members of the 400 Mawozo gang. “We have been working with the Haitian National Police and the FBI to extradite Bernie Yan Yan Jolie to the United States. You will call him the leader of the 400 Mozo gang. He is accused of murder, kidnapping, theft, destruction, private property. And I sent a very strong signal to the gang that there are consequences for their actions.”
