US proposes establishment of ‘gang suppression force’ in Haiti

Acting US Ambassador to the UN Dorothy Shea told the UN Security Council on Tuesday that this will properly and sustainably resource this effort and ensure the mission has the tools at its disposal to take the fight to the gangs.

“The next international force must be resourced to hold territory, secure infrastructure and complement the Haitian National Police,” she said.

Amid efforts to convert the MSS into a UN force to enable it access more resources, Marta Hurtado, spokesperson for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, early this year called on the international community to urgently consider the deployment of a time-bound specialised support force under conditions that conform to international human rights laws and norms, with a comprehensive and precise action plan.

During the Thursday meeting, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who had also suggested the establishment of a support office, warned that State authority is crumbling across Haiti while gang violence engulfs the capital Port-au-Prince and beyond, “paralysing daily life and forcing families to flee.”

He said Haiti now ranks among the five hunger hotspots worldwide that are of “highest concern, yet it remains the world’s least funded humanitarian appeal. Less than 10 per cent of the US$908 million needed has been received.

The UN chief lamented the level of international neglect, describing Haiti as “shamefully overlooked and woefully underfunded,” as armed groups continue to block humanitarian access and attack aid workers.

Due to the lack of resources, around 1.7 million people risk receiving no humanitarian assistance at all. “This is not a funding gap. It is a life-and-death emergency,” he said, urging donors to act before lifesaving operations grind to a halt.

The Caribbean nation last year was among the five worst offenders worldwide, Ms. Russell added, including cases of summary execution.

Even more concerning, she said, was the 700 per cent increase in cases of recruitment and use of children by armed groups, alongside a 54 per cent increase in killing and maiming, according to Ms. Russell.

Children now account for a staggering 50 per cent of all active gang members in Haiti.

“I ask Members of this Council to use all available leverage to protect children,” she said, and to support “concrete actions” which will prevent violations from spiralling still further.

‘Signals of hope’

Despite the bleak outlook across Haiti and soaring levels of violence and lawlessness, “there are emerging signals of hope,” said the Secretary-General.

Closer coordination between the Prime Minister’s Task Force, the Haitian National Police and Security Council-backed MSS is improving operations on the ground, he said.

But, more decisive international support is required to protect and expand these fragile gains.

The Kenyan-led mission was authorised by the Security Council in October 2023 and aims to help over-stretched Haitian authorities stem the gang violence and restore national security, especially in the capital.

Guterres welcomed efforts by the Security Council to advance his proposal to strengthen the MSS through UN logistical and operation support, and urged ambassadors “to act without delay and authorise an international force, supported by the UN through logistical and operational backing, and predictable financing.”