Blinken Urges UN Mandate Renewal for Haiti Security Mission
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken calls for renewed UN mandate to combat gang violence in Haiti. Mission faces challenges with limited troops and funding, as humanitarian crisis deepens.
Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State, visited Port-au-Prince on September 5, 2024, advocating for the extension of the United Nations mandate for an international security mission in Haiti. The current mandate, set to expire in October 2024, has faced significant challenges due to limited troop deployment and insufficient funding.
During a press conference, Blinken emphasized the critical need for increased resources: "At this crucial juncture, additional funding and personnel are essential to maintain and fulfill the mission's objectives." The United States, as the primary financial contributor, plans to organize a ministerial meeting at the upcoming UN General Assembly to garner more financial support and push for mandate renewal.
The security situation in Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere, has deteriorated significantly. Armed gangs have seized control of large portions of the capital and expanded their influence to neighboring regions. This crisis has exacerbated the country's long-standing issues, including political instability and vulnerability to natural disasters.
Haiti's tumultuous history includes over 30 coups since gaining independence from France in 1804, when it became the world's first black-led republic. The country shares the island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic and has a population of approximately 11.4 million people.
The current UN-sanctioned mission, led by Kenya, has deployed only 400 police officers out of an expected 1,000. Other nations have pledged an additional 1,900 troops and hundreds of millions in financial support. However, by late August 2024, only $63 million had been deposited into the UN's dedicated trust fund.
Blinken acknowledged the mission's slow progress but remained optimistic: "While much work lies ahead, we are committed to persevering. The initiative is beginning to gain momentum."
The humanitarian situation in Haiti remains dire. Nearly 580,000 people have been internally displaced due to conflict, and close to 5 million face severe hunger. The country's economy heavily relies on remittances from Haitians working abroad, and its literacy rate of around 61% is one of the lowest in the Caribbean.
"The mission itself needs to be renewed, that's what we're working on right now. But we also want something that's reliable, that's sustainable and we'll look at every option to do that; a U.N. peacekeeping mission is one option."
During his visit, Blinken met with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and the head of the presidential council, Edgard Leblanc Fils. He urged Haitian authorities to prepare for elections in 2025, noting that the country's last elections were held in 2016, and its last elected president was assassinated in 2021.
In a gesture of support, Blinken announced an additional $45 million in humanitarian aid for Haiti. This assistance aims to address the country's pressing needs, including food insecurity and the aftermath of natural disasters such as the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake in 2010 that claimed over 200,000 lives.
As Haiti grapples with these multifaceted challenges, the international community's response and the potential renewal of the UN mandate will play crucial roles in shaping the nation's path towards stability and recovery.
