On Friday, the United States and Ecuador circulated a draft resolution requesting the United Nations to start planning a peacekeeping operation to replace the current Kenya-led mission in Haiti. Since June, nearly 400 Kenyan police officers have been deployed in the Caribbean nation as part of the U.N.-backed mission.
The proposed shift to a U.N. peacekeeping force comes as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken indicated it could be an alternative solution to the ongoing funding crisis for the Kenya-led operation, which has so far relied on voluntary contributions. The United States and Canada have provided most of the funding, but a U.N. peacekeeping operation would be funded through a special U.N. budget, ensuring a more stable financial foundation.
While the draft resolution highlights “gains” made by the U.N.-backed multinational mission, it has yet to be seen as a definitive turning point for Haiti, which last week expanded its state of emergency to cover the entire nation’s territory. The history of U.N. peacekeeping operations in Haiti is marred by controversy. The last U.N. operation in Haiti, which ended in 2017, faced criticism for introducing cholera into the country and allegations of sexual abuse involving peacekeepers.
Between 2004 and 2007, at least 134 U.N. peacekeepers were implicated in a sex ring that exploited nine Haitian children, according to an internal U.N. report. Additionally, a 2004 rebellion in Haiti led to the deployment of a U.N. force, which initially helped stabilize the country through successful elections and recovery efforts after a devastating 2010 earthquake that claimed up to 300,000 lives. However, U.N. peacekeepers were later blamed for introducing cholera, which resulted in approximately 10,000 deaths since 2010, and faced allegations of sexual abuse, including rape and the exploitation of hungry children.
Since the departure of U.N. peacekeepers in 2017, the U.N. has maintained a series of smaller missions in Haiti. The most recent, known as the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), focuses on supporting a Haitian-led political process toward elections, the rule of law, and human rights. Despite the ongoing challenges, many Haitians remain skeptical of a renewed peacekeeping operation due to the scandals associated with the previous missions, with some perceiving U.N. peacekeepers as an occupying force.
In 2022, Haiti requested international assistance to combat the growing influence of gangs, prompting U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres to appeal for months for a country to lead the mission. Kenya eventually stepped forward, pledging 1,000 police officers. They are expected to be joined by personnel from the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Chad, and Jamaica, bringing the multinational force to 2,500 personnel. This force will be deployed in phases, with costs estimated at around $600 million per year. Currently, the U.N. has received $68 million of the $85 million pledged for the mission.
The situation in Haiti has deteriorated significantly since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021. Gangs are now estimated to control up to 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, leading to a rise in killings, rapes, and kidnappings. The surge in violence has resulted in the emergence of civilian vigilante groups.
Earlier this year, gangs launched coordinated attacks on police stations and the main international airport, which was closed for nearly three months. They also stormed Haiti’s two largest prisons, releasing more than 4,000 inmates. The violence somewhat subsided with the arrival of the first contingent of Kenyan police in late June. Secretary Blinken noted that economic activity has resumed in some areas of Port-au-Prince and that joint operations have successfully regained control of Haiti’s largest public hospital. However, gangs continue to pose a threat to communities around Port-au-Prince.
The draft resolution proposes that “the situation in Haiti continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security and to stability in the region.” It extends gratitude to Kenya and extends the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission until October 2, 2025, while the U.N. plans a transition to a peacekeeping operation.
Security Council experts held their first meeting on the text of the resolution on Friday afternoon, with negotiations expected to continue. No date has been set for a vote. According to U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric, any new peacekeeping force requires approval from the Security Council. Once approved, U.N. member nations must volunteer troops and equipment, a process that takes time to deploy.
As discussions progress, the U.N. faces the challenge of balancing the need for stability in Haiti with addressing the concerns of Haitians wary of another peacekeeping force on their soil. The outcome will determine the next steps in managing the country’s security crisis and rebuilding efforts.
