The UN Security Council extended the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti for another year, as the U.S. withdrew its proposal to convert it into a UN peacekeeping operation due to opposition from China and Russia. Despite the extension, the MSS faces serious funding and personnel challenges, with only 407 deployed instead of the planned 2,500. Additional commitments from other nations are emerging, yet historical apprehensions about UN missions loom large in Haiti’s context.
The UN Security Council has unanimously approved the extension of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti for another year, extending its operations, which were first slated to end on October 2, 2024. This extension will enable the MSS to continue its support for Haiti’s National Police (PNH) in addressing the rampant gang violence and restoring security in the region. However, the United States has withdrawn its proposal to transform this mission into a United Nations peacekeeping operation following substantial opposition from both China and Russia. During a recent UN session, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, declared, “Today’s unanimous renewal sends a strong message to the people of Haiti: the world stands with you,” emphasizing international solidarity with Haiti. However, the mandate renewal comes at a precarious time, as the MSS currently operates with just 407 personnel, significantly short of the initially planned 2,500 police and military members. Additionally, the mission faces challenges related to underfunding and inadequate resources. Despite the U.S. contributing nearly $300 million in equipment and supplies, the newly created UN trust fund aimed at securing financial support from member states has collected only $67 million of the projected $84 million needed. According to UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, key contributors include Canada, the U.S., France, Spain, Italy, and Turkey, raising concerns among officials such as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regarding the slow pace of financial backing for the MSS. The overall annual cost of the mission is estimated to be around $600 million. As the situation in Haiti deteriorates, with gangs controlling extensive areas of Port-au-Prince, additional international contributions are being sought. Guatemala has pledged to deploy 150 soldiers, while Guinea has offered 650 police and military personnel, although specific deployment dates remain uncertain. Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah articulated Guinea’s commitment, stating, “We are committed to peacekeeping efforts and will send 650 officers to support stabilization in Haiti.” The U.S.’s initial proposal to shift the MSS into a UN operation was intended to secure more stable funding and resources. Nonetheless, the plan was abandoned due to China and Russia’s threats of veto. Russia advocated for allowing the MSS more time to establish its groundwork before deliberating possible transformation into a UN mission. Conversely, Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council President Edgard Leblanc has expressed support for the UN mission concept, urging that the UN take a proactive role in Haiti’s reconstruction by transitioning the MSS into a peacekeeping operation, asserting, “It is never too late to act rightly and learn from past mistakes.” Though the potential for a UN transition garners mixed reactions within Haiti, particularly in light of past abuses associated with prior UN missions, community leaders continue to advocate for accountability mechanisms in any future deployment. Attorney Brian Concannon, executive director of the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH), emphasized the need for accountability, citing the lack thereof during the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) period, which was marred by a cholera outbreak and numerous scandals. Concannon remarked, “The United States may be seeking more funding and a peacekeeping force with better experience. But many Haitians are questioning what tangible results can come from another UN mission after the failures of MINUSTAH.” Despite these challenges, the U.S. remains firm in its commitment to advocate for the MSS’s future transformation into a UN peacekeeping operation. Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield noted, “Going forward, we must heed the calls from the Haitian government to transform the Mission into a UN peacekeeping operation.”
The article discusses the UN Security Council’s recent decision to extend the mandate of a Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti, amidst ongoing security and financial challenges affecting the mission. The U.S. withdrawal of its proposal to convert the mission into a UN peacekeeping operation illustrates the complexities and geopolitical factors influencing international responses to Haiti’s security crisis. The article highlights the existing personnel shortages, funding issues, and the historical context of UN missions in Haiti that have shaped current perceptions and expectations for peacekeeping efforts in the region.
The unanimous extension of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti showcases the international community’s ongoing commitment to addressing the security crisis in the country. However, the challenges of underfunding and personnel shortages hinder the effectiveness of the mission. Amidst proposals for transformation into a UN peacekeeping operation, opposition from China and Russia complicates the path forward. With a tumultuous history of UN interventions, any future initiatives will need to prioritize accountability and tangible results to ensure the trust of the Haitian populace.
Original Source: haitiantimes.com
