The Biden administration has abandoned its efforts to initiate a U.N. peacekeeping operation in Haiti due to opposition from China and Russia. Instead, the focus will shift to renewing the mandate of the Kenya-led security mission for one year, amid ongoing financial struggles to support the effort. The situation highlights the complexities of international cooperation in addressing Haiti’s security challenges, particularly in light of geopolitical tensions.
The Biden administration has decided to abandon its efforts to transition the Kenya-led security mission in Haiti into a formal United Nations peacekeeping operation, at least temporarily. Recent negotiations have revealed substantial opposition from China and Russia, leading to the omission of any proposal for such a transformation in the latest draft resolution. Instead, the focus will shift to a one-year renewal of the existing mandate for the Multinational Security Support mission, which is scheduled for a vote by the U.N. Security Council on Monday. If approved, this extension could last until October 2025. During negotiations conducted earlier in the month, both Russia and China consistently rejected any suggestions to initiate planning for a transition to a U.N. peacekeeping framework, citing the unsuitability of the current conditions in Haiti for such an operation. Consequently, the revised resolution only seeks to prolong the mission’s mandate, amid ongoing concerns over the lack of financial support that has exacerbated its operational challenges in assisting the Haitian National Police in combating armed gang violence. Following the initial deployment of Kenyan police officers four months ago, there have only been approximately 400 international security personnel in Haiti, including a small number of Jamaican soldiers. The financial difficulties encountered led the Biden administration to consider a peacekeeping option, which would secure predictable funding for the mission. However, negotiations were impeded by Russia and China, both of which hold veto power on the Security Council and have historically dismissed U.N. interventions in Haiti. While the U.S. contributes significantly to the multinational security mission—over $300 million—it has struggled to persuade other nations to contribute to a U.N. trust fund intended to finance these operations, with the estimated costs amounting to $600 million annually, as stated by Kenya. Should the current draft resolution pass, it will allow Russia and China to demonstrate support for Haiti through the mission extension, albeit without directly assisting the U.S., which may continue to bear the majority of the financial burden for the mission.
The situation in Haiti has been fraught with challenges, including rampant gang violence and deteriorating security conditions. A Multinational Security Support mission led by Kenya was established with the intent of stabilizing the region, but it has faced significant funding shortfalls that have hindered its deployment and effectiveness. The U.S. has been a principal contributor to these efforts, providing financial and logistical support to bolster international security in Haiti. However, recent political dynamics within the U.N. Security Council, particularly the opposition from permanent members Russia and China, have complicated the mission’s prospects for transitioning into a more formalized peacekeeping operation, which would guarantee a more robust funding mechanism and a more substantial presence to address Haiti’s security crisis.
In summary, the Biden administration’s initiative to convert the Kenya-led mission in Haiti into a U.N. peacekeeping operation has been impeded by the opposition from China and Russia, leading to a revised focus on extending the current operational mandate for another year. This development underscores ongoing international complexities, as the U.S. continues to shoulder the majority of the financial responsibility for Haiti’s security while grappling with the challenge of securing broader international support amidst geopolitical tensions.
Original Source: www.miamiherald.com
