The United Nations Security Council voted on Tuesday to establish a Gang Suppression Force in Haiti, replacing the struggling Kenyan-led security mission. Twelve council members supported the measure, while China, Pakistan, and Russia abstained from the vote on the resolution co-authored by Panama and the United States.
The force will deploy 5,550 personnel for a 12-month period to conduct intelligence operations against gangs, secure critical infrastructure, and facilitate humanitarian aid delivery. The mission will work with Haitian National Police and military forces to neutralize gang activity and protect civilians.
Haiti faces a severe humanitarian crisis with 1.3 million displaced residents and gangs controlling substantial portions of Port-au-Prince. The previous Multinational Security Support mission, authorized in October 2023, failed to contain gang violence because of insufficient funding and staffing problems.
The resolution establishes a UN Support Office to provide operational assistance to the new force. Kenya endorsed the transition to the enhanced security mechanism.
The force will deploy 5,550 personnel for a 12-month period to conduct intelligence operations against gangs, secure critical infrastructure, and facilitate humanitarian aid delivery. The mission will work with Haitian National Police and military forces to neutralize gang activity and protect civilians.
Haiti faces a severe humanitarian crisis with 1.3 million displaced residents and gangs controlling substantial portions of Port-au-Prince. The previous Multinational Security Support mission, authorized in October 2023, failed to contain gang violence because of insufficient funding and staffing problems.
The resolution establishes a UN Support Office to provide operational assistance to the new force. Kenya endorsed the transition to the enhanced security mechanism.
