The UN extends Haiti’s mission mandate after dropping pressure for greater peacekeeping efforts

The United Nations Security Council on Monday unanimously renewed a multinational security support mission (MSS) in Haiti to combat armed gangs, after the US abandoned its attempt to expand the effort into a peacekeeping force.

The resolution, led by the US and Ecuador, extends the MSS for another year, until October 2025, giving police more time to tackle the surge in gang violence in the Caribbean island.

US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said the extension “sends a strong message to the people of Haiti.”

“The world stands with you, and we are steadfast in our efforts to restore security and stability,” she told media in New York. “Haiti continues to face a long-term crisis exacerbated by the activities of criminal gangs and their indiscriminate violent attacks that have a disproportionate impact on the civilian population, especially women and children.”

The US attempt to transform the MSS into a peacekeeping mission has been opposed by China and Russia, which are permanent members of the Security Council and have veto power.

Both countries had expressed concerns that the mission was not yet ready for such a transformation, and the resolution was ultimately amended to remove the language of a peacekeeping effort.

The MSS, led by Kenya, was initially deployed in June and now has approximately 400 police officers supporting the Haitian National Police. Some progress has been made in regaining control of armed gangs in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, but efforts remain underfunded and have not yet driven out the gangs that control most of the city.

Kenyan President William Ruto said he was “very grateful” for the financial support given to the MSS, but the mission was “hindered by insufficient equipment, logistics and financing”.

“I appeal to all Member States to show solidarity with the people of Haiti,” he said in an address to the UN last week. “The progress to date in Haiti shows that what was once considered a mission impossible is indeed a current and undeniable possibility.”

Ruto added that despite concerns over funding, he expects to deploy the full police force of 2,500 officers by January.

The US and Canada are the strongest supporters of the MSS. Washington has contributed some $300 million to the mission, and Canada has donated more than $80 million in support, but much of the funding requirements for the MSS have not been met.

Thomas-Greenfield said the MSS has made “tangible progress” since its deployment in June.

“But to capitalize on that momentum, continue to combat gang violence and create a sense of safety, more needs to be done,” she said. “Additional financial contributions are urgently needed.”

Haiti has been ravaged by armed gangs since the death of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, and the MSS was approved by the UN in October 2023 at the request of Port-au-Prince.

The government in Haiti, led by acting Prime Minister Garry Conille, has little power and depends on the MSS and the international community to tackle the gangs.

A transitional council in Haiti is preparing for new elections once security is restored in the country. According to the UN, more than 600,000 people have been displaced and more than 5 million people struggle to access basic needs.

The gangs pose a huge challenge to the MSS because they are extremely well armed, largely due to arms trafficking from the US, a point made by more than 60 lawmakers in a letter to the Biden administration last week. They called for greater efforts to tackle arms smuggling into the Caribbean country.