US abandons plan to establish peacekeeping mission in Haiti

Photo: REUTERS/Ralph Tedy Erol

The United States has abandoned a plan to transform a security mission in Haiti that helps fight armed gangs into an official UN peacekeeping operation. Reuters reported this on Sunday, September 29, citing diplomats.

The UN Security Council will vote on Monday, September 30, on a draft resolution to extend the mandate of the multinational security support mission (MSS) in Haiti until October 2, 2025. The UN first approved the mission a year ago after the country asked the international community for help.

The Kenya-led International Security Mission, although authorized by the UN Security Council, is not a UN operation. Countries willing to support the mission volunteer money and personnel.

The mission has made little progress in restoring order in Haiti, with only 400 Kenyan police currently on the ground and underfunded.

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On Thursday, September 26, the head of Haiti's transition council, Edgard LeBlanc, supported the idea of ​​transforming the MSS into a peacekeeping mission. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken raised the issue during a visit to Haiti earlier this month. According to Russia's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Dmitry Polyansky, Russia wants to give the mission more time to develop.

Diplomats say Russia and China oppose the proposed transition plan, so the US removed the language from the draft resolution, which was seen by Reuters.

The US commitment to restoring security, peace and tranquility to the Haitian people “remains unwavering,” a spokesman for the US mission to the UN said on Sunday.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said earlier this month that a UN peacekeeping force would not be the best solution for Haiti. The country is experiencing a humanitarian crisis with mass displacement, sexual violence and widespread hunger.

According to UN estimates, more than 700,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Haiti as a result of banditry.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga