Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti

Last updated
Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti
ActiveJanuary 1, 2024
CountryHaiti
AllegianceUnited Nations
Type Multinational force
Size1,000+

The Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti is an international police force approved by the United Nations Security Council on 2 October 2023 to assist the government of Haiti in restoring law and order amid worsening civil strife and gang violence since 2018. [1]

Contents

The mission will be led by Kenya and coordinated with the Haitian National Police; though backed by the UNSC, it is not a United Nations operation. [2] Personnel have been pledged by Caribbean Community members Jamaica, Bahamas, Guyana, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda, as well as Bangladesh, Benin, and Chad. [3] Then-Kenyan Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua stated that Spain, Senegal and Chile would likely deploy security personnel. [4] [5]

The United States has pledged $200 million to the mission and an additional $100 million in humanitarian aid. [6] Canada announced $123 million to support Haiti, including $80.5 million for the mission. [7] [8] As of March 2024, the U.N. indicated that $78 million had been formally pledged, of which only $10.8 million was deposited, by Canada and France. [3] [9]

Background

UN Security Council
Resolution 2699
Date2 October 2023
Meeting no.9,430
CodeS/RES/2699 (Document)
Subject Haitian crisis (2018–present) and Gang war in Haiti
Voting summary
  • 13 voted for
  • None voted against
  • 2 abstained
ResultAdopted
Security Council composition
Permanent members
Non-permanent members
←  2698 Lists of resolutions 2700  →

Haiti's government collapsed after the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, after which the current prime minister, Ariel Henry, assumed power without an election. Henry’s official term ended in early 2022, and he has since postponed elections, governing without a constitutional mandate or any remaining elected officials; on 11 March 2024, Henry announced that he would resign following the creation of a transitional presidential council. [10]

The political impasse has created conditions for escalating gang warfare and a wave of violent crime. Since 2021, the Haitian National Police (HNP) has suffered 100 fatalities and declined by over 7,000 personnel; by the end of 2023, only around 9,000 officers remained on duty for country of over 11 million—in contrast, 36,000 officers serve the 8 million residents of New York City alone. These challenges have been exacerbated by a cholera outbreak, deadly earthquakes, and economic strife, contributing to a broader humanitarian crisis. [11]

Haiti has previously been subject to international policing missions. U.S. troops and U.N. civilian police conducted patrols in the mid-1990s when the HNP was just being established. From 2004 to 2017, the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) undertook broad security duties that included an armed anti-gang campaign; it was replaced by a much smaller police force, the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), [12] which concluded in 2019. Both missions were marred by controversies, including allegations of U.N. troops sexually exploiting poor women and being responsible for the cholera outbreak in 2010. [13]

UNSC Resolution 2699

One year after the Haitian government's formal request to the U.N. for international assistance, [14] the United States and Ecuador drafted United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699. [15] Adopted on 2 October 2023, the resolution mandates the MSS with helping the HNP counter gangs, restore security, and create conditions for free and fair elections. [16] It also grants the MSS temporary executive policing authority in Haiti, including the powers of detention and arrest. [11] Additionally, the resolution also extended a previous arms embargo. [17] Thirteen members voted in favour, with Russia and China abstaining. [16]

In February 2024, conferences in Brazil and Guyana regarding the mission were followed by additional commitments by various countries; [18] the United States announced it would contribute another $100 million in support of the mission, [19] raising its total pledge to $300 million, [20] while Benin pledged to provide 2,000 soldiers. As of 22 March 2024, Kenya, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, and Chad have formally agreed to provide personnel. [3]

Prior to deployment, the MSS is required to present an operational plan to the U.N. Security Council and create an oversight mechanism to monitor the mission; participating personnel would also be subject to U.N. vetting. [18] Additionally, personnel receiving U.S. support would be subject to U.S. human rights vetting pursuant to the "Leahy Laws". [21]

As of April 2024, the MSS has yet to be deployed, as Kenya has not formalised its leadership of the mission with the U.N. [22]

Haitian response

In a 2023 survey, 70% of Haitians said they favor the deployment of an international armed force to fight the gangs, as authorized by the United Nations. The majority of respondents, 57%, said they do not think a coalition of civil society organizations that have come together under the name Montana Accord — an agreement for governing Haiti named after the Petionville hotel where it was signed — can solve the security crisis either. A total of 1,597 Haitians were surveyed across Haiti's 10 regional departments and the margin of error is below 3%. The poll was commissioned by the Haiti Health Network, a group of medical organizations in the country. [23]

Nou Pap Konplis, a nongovernmental organization, expressed support for the resolution but urged the government to draft a "roadmap" that would avoid the problems of past interventions. [24] [25] Likewise, Ricardo Fleuridor, a leading activist and member of the Petrochallengers grassroots movement, [26] called on U.N. leaders to collaborate with competent Haitians skilled in international politics and diplomacy when establishing a roadmap for the multinational mission. Echoing the concerns of Haitian civil society, human rights experts have advocated additional training and mechanisms to prevent and punish human rights violations, which have historically plagued prior peacekeeping and security missions. [27]

On 17 April 2024, Haitian business leaders released a letter addressed to Kenyan President William Ruto stating that they were "extremely concerned" over the MSS' delay. [22]

Foreign response

United States

As the United Nations sanctions an independent Kenya-led multinational mission to the tumultuous nation of Haiti, Sir Ronald Sanders, Antigua and Barbuda’s chief diplomat to the Organisation of American States (OAS), has probed the role of the US in the endeavor. While the US State Department has committed to providing $100 million in foreign assistance and the Department of Defense is willing to offer up to $100 million in supporting measures, Sir Ronald Sanders underscores a deeper historical connection. As discussions about the Haitian mission proceed, Sanders calls for a more active role by the US, challenging the emphasis on monetary contributions over direct involvement. [28]

Kenya

Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu asserts that Kenya's leadership in the UN-backed mission in Haiti will bolster its global reputation as a dependable partner. Highlighting Kenya's peacekeeping history, she believes that the mission provides advanced training for Kenyan police and brings financial benefits, with countries like the US committing significant funds. Rather than combat, Kenyan officers will secure key infrastructures in Haiti. Nyamu emphasizes Kenya's commitment to global collaboration and Haiti's stabilization. [29]

Kenya's paramilitary General Service Unit may be deployed and some officers are learning French to communicate on the ground.

Troop pledges

CountryPersonnel
pledged		Ref
Flag of Antigua and Barbuda.svg  Antigua and Barbuda TBD [30]
Flag of Bangladesh.svg  Bangladesh TBD [5]
Flag of Barbados.svg  Barbados TBD [5]
Flag of Benin.svg  Benin 2,000 [31] [32]
Flag of Chad.svg  Chad TBD [5]
Flag of Guyana.svg  Guyana TBD 
Flag of Grenada.svg  Grenada TBD 
Flag of Saint Lucia.svg  Saint Lucia TBD 
Flag of Dominica.svg  Dominica TBD 
Flag of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.svg  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines TBD 
Flag of Jamaica.svg  Jamaica TBD 
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 1,000 
Flag of Suriname.svg  Suriname TBD [33]
Flag of the Bahamas.svg  The Bahamas 150 [34]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Operation Uphold Democracy</span> International military intervention in Haiti following the 1991 coup detat

Operation Uphold Democracy was a multinational military intervention designed to remove the military regime led and installed by Raoul Cédras after the 1991 Haitian coup d'état overthrew the elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The operation was effectively authorized by the 31 July 1994 United Nations Security Council Resolution 940.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Medal</span> Award

A United Nations Medal is an international decoration awarded by the United Nations (UN) to the various world countries members for participation in joint international military and police operations such as peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, and disaster relief. The medal is ranked in militaries and police forces as a service medal. The United Nations awarded its first medal during the Korean War (1950–1953). Since 1955, many additional United Nations medals have been created and awarded for participation in various United Nations missions and actions around the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti</span> 2004–2017 United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti

The United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti, also known as MINUSTAH, an acronym of its French name, was a UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti from 2004 to 2017. It was composed of 2,366 military personnel and 2,533 police, supported by international civilian personnel, a local civilian staff, and United Nations Volunteers. The mission's military component was led by the Brazilian Army and commanded by a Brazilian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Law enforcement in Haiti</span>

Other than the temporary United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) force, the Haitian National Police is the only security force in Haiti following the disbandment of the Haitian military.

The United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) was a peacekeeping operation carried out by the United Nations between September 1993 and June 1996. The Mission was reestablished (MINUSTAH) in April 2004, after a rebellion took over most of Haiti and President Bertrand Aristide resigned. This mandate ended in 2017, replaced by United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), which saw the end of UN peacekeepers in Haiti after its ending in 2019.

Various international and local diplomatic and humanitarian efforts in the Somali Civil War have been in effect since the conflict first began in the early 1990s. The latter include diplomatic initiatives put together by the African Union, the Arab League and the European Union, as well as humanitarian efforts led by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), the Puntland Maritime Police Force (PMPF) and the Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations–African Union Mission in Darfur</span> Peacekeeping mission

The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur was a joint African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) peacekeeping mission formally approved by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1769 on 31 July 2007, to bring stability to the war-torn Darfur region of Sudan while peace talks on a final settlement continue.

An international decoration is a military award which is not bestowed by a particular country, but rather by an international organization such as the United Nations or NATO. Such awards are normally issued as service medals, for participation in various international military operations, and not for specific acts of heroism or bravery. The first medal from an international organization accepted for wear by the United States Military was the United Nations Korea Medal in 1951. Subsequent acceptance of other United Nations Medals did not come until 1964 with Executive Order 11139. Acceptance of the medals of other international multilateral organizations finally came with Executive Order 11446 in 1969. Acceptance of these international decorations must be approved by not only the Secretary of Defense, but also the Secretary of State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canada–Haiti relations</span> Bilateral relations

Canada–Haiti relations are relations between Canada and the Republic of Haiti. They are the only independent French-speaking countries in the Americas. During the unsettled period from 1957 to 1990, Canada received many Haitian refugees, who now form a significant minority in Quebec. Canada participated in various international interventions in Haiti between 1994 and 2004, and continues to provide substantial aid to Haiti. Both nations are members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie, Organization of American States and the United Nations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Armed Forces of Haiti</span> Combined military forces of Haiti

The Armed Forces of Haiti, consisted of the Haitian Army, Haitian Navy, the Haitian Air Force, Haitian Coast Guard, Agence Nationale d'Intelligence (ANI) and some police forces. The Army was always the dominant service with the others serving primarily in a support role. The name of Haiti's military was changed from The Indigenous Army to the Garde d'Haiti after the U.S. invasion and occupation of Haiti in 1915. Then to the Forces Armées d'Haïti—FAd'H in 1958 during the rule of François Duvalier. After years of military interference in politics, including dozens of military coups and attempted coups, Haiti disbanded its military in 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Security Council Resolution 1908</span> United Nations resolution adopted in 2010

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1908, adopted unanimously on January 19, 2010, after endorsing the Secretary-General's recommendation, the Council increased the size of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) established under Resolution 1542 (2004), in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti earthquake. The resolution authorised an additional 3,500 peacekeepers for Haiti, bringing the total number of MINUSTAH troops to 8,940 and a police component to 3,711.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Security Council Resolution 975</span> United Nations resolution adopted in 1995

United Nations Security Council resolution 975, adopted on 30 January 1995, after recalling resolutions 841 (1993), 861 (1993), 862 (1993), 867 (1993), 873 (1993), 875 (1993), 905 (1994), 917 (1994), 933 (1994), 940 (1994), 944 (1994), 948 (1994) and 964 (1994), the Council discussed the transfer of responsibility from the Multinational Force (MNF) to the United Nations Mission in Haiti (UNMIH) and extended the mandate of UNMIH for a further six months until 31 July 1995.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Security Council Resolution 1927</span> United Nations resolution adopted in 2010

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1927, adopted unanimously on June 4, 2010, after recalling previous resolutions on Haiti, including resolutions 1542 (2004), 1576 (2004), 1608 (2005), 1658 (2006), 1702 (2006), 1743 (2006), 1780 (2007), 1840 (2008), 1892 (2009) and 1908 (2010), the Council authorised an additional deployment of 680 police as part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Security Council Resolution 1658</span> United Nations resolution adopted in 2006

United Nations Security Council Resolution 1658, adopted unanimously on February 14, 2006, after recalling resolutions 1542 (2004), 1576 (2004) and 1608 (2005) on the situation in Haiti, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) until August 15, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haiti–India relations</span> Bilateral relations

Haiti–India relations refers to the international relations between Haiti and India. The Embassy of India in Havana, Cuba is concurrently accredited to Haiti.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti</span> Peacekeeping mission in Haiti

The United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH) was a peacekeeping mission in Haiti mandated by the United Nations Security Council through Resolutions 2350 (2017) and 2410 (2018). It was the successor to MINUSTAH.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haitian crisis (2018–present)</span> Ongoing socioeconomic and political crisis in Haiti

Protests began in cities throughout Haiti on 7 July 2018 in response to increased fuel prices. Over time, these protests evolved into demands for the resignation of Jovenel Moïse, the then-president of Haiti. Led by opposition politician Jean-Charles Moïse, protesters stated that their goals were to create a transitional government, provide social programs, and prosecute allegedly corrupt officials. From 2019 to 2021, there were massive protests calling for the Jovenel Moïse government to resign. Moïse had come in first in the 2016 presidential election, for which voter turnout was 21%. The 2015 elections had been annulled due to fraud. On 7 February 2021, supporters of the opposition allegedly attempted a coup d'état, leading to 23 arrests, as well as clashes between protestors and police.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gang war in Haiti</span> Civil conflict over control of Port-au-Prince

Since 2020, Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince, has been the site of an ongoing gang war between two major criminal groups and their allies: the Revolutionary Forces of the G9 Family and Allies and the G-Pep. The Government of Haiti and Haitian security forces have struggled to maintain their control of Port-au-Prince amid this conflict, with gangs reportedly controlling up to 90% of the city by 2023. In response to the escalating gang fighting, an armed vigilante movement, known as bwa kale, also emerged, with the purpose of fighting the gangs. On 2 October 2023, United Nations Security Council Resolution 2699 was approved, authorizing a Kenya-led "multinational security support mission" to Haiti.

Events in the year 2023 in Haiti. Haiti still had no president, no parliamentary quorum, and a dysfunctional high court due to a lack of judges, with another news report of violent uprisings across the country, realizing they were sent by the gangs while the other families and neighbors escape from a burning capital Port-au-Prince. The government invoked a martial law across Haiti in an effort to contain gang violence. The police and the military are forced to withdraw from their posts when their bases and police stations throughout Haiti are destroyed by more gangs who had also planted weapons in the area to provoke participation. Haiti is effectively destroyed by violence that no longer controls the island country after its long history of natural disasters and political chaos, more than three million Haitian migrants sailed to Florida in the U.S. as refugees, and black civilians in Haiti are rallying to fight back against gang corruption.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1997 UN Transition Mission in Haiti</span>

The United Nations Transition Mission in Haiti (UNTMIH) was a four-month mission which took place between 30 July 1997 and 30 November 1997. UNTMIH was the third United Nations peacekeeping operation in Haiti, and was established by United Nations Security Council Resolution 1123, adopted on 30 July 1997.

References

  1. ↑ "Security Council Authorizes Multinational Security Support Mission for Haiti for Initial Period of One Year, by Vote of 13 in Favour with 2 Abstentions" (Press release). UNSC. 2 October 2023. Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  2. ↑ "Security Council authorizes 'historic' support mission in Haiti | UN News". news.un.org. 2023-10-02. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  3. 1 2 3 Five countries pledge personnel for Haiti security mission, UN says
  4. ↑ Aradi, Gloria; Fletcher, Pascal (3 October 2023). "Haiti crisis: Can Kenyan police officers defeat the gangs?". BBC News . Retrieved 3 October 2023.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Barbados Defence Force Getting Ready For Haiti". The St Kitts Nevis Observer. 2024-03-07. Retrieved 2024-03-12.
  6. ↑ Blinken, Antony J. "UN Security Council Authorizes Multinational Security Support Mission to Haiti". United States Department of State (Press release). Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  7. ↑ Canada, Global Affairs (2024-02-23). "Canada announces $123 million in funding to improve security in Haiti". www.canada.ca. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  8. ↑ "Blinken rallies support for Haiti security mission in Brazil". Reuters. February 22, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Haiti's PM called for security support. Who answered?". Reuters. 5 March 2024.
  10. ↑ Coto, Dánica; Sanon, Evens (12 March 2024). "Ariel Henry: Haiti's PM says he will resign". AP News. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
  11. 1 2 "The New UN-Backed Mission in Haiti". Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. 2023-12-18. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  12. ↑ "Security Council decides UN Mission in Haiti will close by October; approves smaller follow-on operation". United Nations. 13 April 2017. Retrieved 2 June 2017.
  13. ↑ Sagás, Ernesto (2024-03-19). "Haiti is in crisis, but foreign intervention comes with an ugly past". The Conversation. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  14. ↑ Alam, Hande Atay; Dupain, Etant (2022-10-07). "Haiti government asks for international military assistance". CNN . Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  15. ↑ Robles, Frances; Fassihi, Farnaz (2023-10-02). "U.N. Approves Kenya-Led Security Mission to Help Haiti Stamp Out Gangs" . The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  16. 1 2 Robles, Frances; Fassihi, Farnaz (2023-10-02). "U.N. Approves Kenya-Led Security Mission to Help Haiti Stamp Out Gangs" . The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  17. ↑ Nichols, Michelle (2023-10-03). "UN authorizes Haiti security mission to fight gangs". Reuters . Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  18. 1 2 Haiti in Crisis: What Role for a Multinational Security Support Mission? Congressional Research Service (March 15, 2024)
  19. ↑ John, Jennifer Hansler, Tara (2024-03-12). "US will contribute $300 million to Haiti's multinational security mission". CNN. Retrieved 2024-03-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ↑ Coto, Dánica (2023-10-02). "UN Security Council approves sending a Kenya-led force to Haiti to fight violent gangs". AP News . San Juan. Retrieved 2023-10-03.
  21. ↑ 22 U.S.C. §2378d and 10 U.S.C. §362
  22. 1 2 "Haitian business leaders 'extremely concerned' over delay to Kenya-led mission". Voice of America. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  23. ↑ Charles, Jacqueline (October 31, 2023). "Haiti poll finds majority favor international force amid worsening humanitarian crisis". Miami Herald .
  24. ↑ "Haitian organization asks for roadmap for multinational mission - Prensa Latina". 2023-10-06. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  25. ↑ Macajoux, Jean Allens (2023-10-06). "Force multinationale : « Les Haïtiens ne veulent pas revivre les blessures de la MINUSTAH», prévient Nou Pap Konplis" [Multinational Force: "Haitians do not want to relive the wounds of MINUSTAH," warns Nou Pap Konplis]. Vant Bèf Info (VBI) (in French). Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  26. ↑ "Meet the Petrochallengers: A new generation wants to bring accountability to Haiti. Can they succeed?". The World from PRX. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  27. ↑ sjs371 (2023-12-18). "The New UN-Backed Mission in Haiti | GJIA". Georgetown Journal of International Affairs. Retrieved 2024-04-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  28. ↑ Emmanuel, Robert A (2023-10-06). "Sir Ronald Sanders calls on US, France to play more active role in Kenyan-led Haitian mission". Antigua Observer . Retrieved 2024-03-15.
  29. ↑ Mbuthia, Bashir (October 6, 2023). "Senator Karen Nyamu predicts immense gains for Kenya through Haiti mission". Citizen Digital .
  30. ↑ "Antigua and Barbuda to deploy army personnel to crisis-hit Haiti". Daily Observer . 26 September 2023. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  31. ↑ "Benin offers 2,000 troops to Haiti force, US ambassador says". Reuters . 27 February 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  32. ↑ Nichols, Michelle (1 March 2024). "Five countries pledge personnel for Haiti security mission, UN says". Reuters . Retrieved 7 March 2024.
  33. ↑ Clark, Joanne (26 September 2023). "Suriname joins international effort to bolster security in Haiti". Caribbean National Weekly. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  34. ↑ "Statement From the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Kenya's Commitment to Haiti" (Press release). Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Bahamas. Retrieved 5 October 2023. The Bahamas has committed 150 persons to support the multi-national force once authorized
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.