While Kenyan police officers struggle to restore security in Haiti, the UN Security Council has just unanimously approved resolution 2751, renewing the mandate of the Multinational Security Assistance Mission in Haiti. All 15 members of the Council approved the resolution presented by the United States and Ecuador. The U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN hailed the decision as a sign of the international community’s solidarity with Haiti.
“The unanimous extension of the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission is a very strong message sent to Haiti,” declared Linda Thomas-Greenfield. She added: “The world stands by its side, and we are unwavering in our commitment to restoring security and determined to put the country back on the path to security and prosperity.” She also announced that new Haitian actors would be added to the UN sanctions list in order to “combat those responsible for gang violence.”
The day before, the United States had decided to put on hold a draft resolution on the transformation of the multinational force into a UN mission. China and Russia had threatened to impose their veto, demanding that arrangements be made before considering this transformation. While understanding the reluctance of China and Russia, the United States has no intention of abandoning its efforts to transform the multinational security force into a UN mission. “We have heard from those who have expressed reservations about this, and we ask them to consider the consent and will of the Haitian people,” said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, while acknowledging the need to ”not forget the past to avoid making the same mistakes in the future.”
It seems unlikely, however, that China and Russia, veto-wielding members of the Council, will align themselves with the American position. China’s permanent representative pointed to the failures of UN missions in Haiti as examples of the ineffectiveness of peace operations. “The UN has sent several peacekeeping operations to Haiti, but the results have never been satisfactory, and the lessons have been heavy,” he asserted. “It is imperative that Resolution 2699 be fully implemented, and that the MMAS mandate be fulfilled in its entirety. Discussing other options at this stage will only hinder the implementation of this mission,” added the Chinese ambassador.
Mr. Fu Cong urged Haiti’s leaders to put the interests of their people first. “We hope that the parties in Haiti will give priority to the interests of the people and establish an electoral timetable and a roadmap to enable elections to be held,” he advised. Russia’s permanent representative also supported this position.
Last week, at the United Nations, the President of the Transitional Presidential Council, Edgard Leblanc, called for the transformation of the MMAS into a UN peacekeeping mission. For several years, Haiti has been going through a profound security crisis, marked by the growing hold of armed gangs over vast areas of the country, particularly in Port-au-Prince.
The multinational mission, led by Kenya, has been deployed to help re-establish security in a country where the forces of law and order are overwhelmed. Gangs continue to reign supreme, while the Kenyans are still awaiting reinforcements from other countries that have promised to contribute troops. Pledges of financial support are also slow in coming. However, the debates within the Security Council on the transformation of this mission into a UN peacekeeping force reflect the differences between the Council’s permanent members as to the approach to be adopted in Haiti.
Disclaimer: This text is a translation of an original speech written in French. The quotes may not reflect the exact wording of the original speech, which can be viewed on the UN’s official website.