The U.N. Security Council has unanimously voted on Monday to extend the mandate of the Kenya-led multinational force aimed at addressing gang violence in Haiti. This decision comes despite Haiti’s request to initiate discussions on transitioning to a U.N. peacekeeping mission.
According to a final draft obtained by The Associated Press, China and Russia successfully removed a paragraph from the resolution that acknowledged a call by Edgard Leblanc Fils, president of Haiti’s transitional presidential council, during the U.N. General Assembly. He had urged for a discussion on shifting to a U.N. peacekeeping force.
Leblanc’s call, made last Thursday, marked the first public endorsement of the U.N. peacekeeping proposal by a government official since the United States introduced the idea in early September as a means to secure additional resources for the Kenya-led mission.
Currently, nearly 400 Kenyan officers are deployed in Haiti, alongside around 20 police officers and soldiers from Jamaica. This number falls significantly short of the 2,500 personnel pledged by various nations, including Chad, Benin, Bangladesh, and Barbados, and funding remains critically inadequate.
U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield emphasized that the unanimous 15-0 vote sends a powerful message of solidarity to the people of Haiti, stating, “The world is standing with you. We are unwavering in our efforts to help restore security and stability and guide the country toward peace.”
She highlighted the urgent need for additional financial contributions for the multinational force and reiterated the importance of considering Haiti’s request for a U.N.-funded peacekeeping operation.
A senior U.S. official indicated that the passage of the resolution would prompt a U.S. initiative to collaborate with Haitian authorities and other partners to explore the transformation of the operation into a peacekeeping force. The official, who requested anonymity in line with Biden administration protocols, noted that those opposing a U.N. force would need to justify their stance in light of the Haitian government’s request.
In response, China’s deputy U.N. ambassador Geng Shuang pointed out that previous U.N. peacekeeping missions in Haiti have yielded unsatisfactory results and highlighted the significant lessons learned from those experiences. He urged the implementation of the mandate for the Kenya-led force, warning that discussions of alternative options at this juncture could hinder its operations. Geng stated, “Haiti does not currently possess the conditions for the deployment of peacekeeping operations.”
Russia’s deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyansky echoed these sentiments, arguing that only three months have elapsed since the Kenyan officers’ deployment, and he anticipates the multinational force will expand its presence. He expressed the view that it is premature to consider any changes to the international presence at this stage.
