UN (AP) – The UN Security Council voted Tuesday to approve a much larger international force of 5,550 people and help stop escalation Gang violence in Haiti.
The US-Panama co-hosted resolution transforms current Kenya-led multinational forces into “gang suppression forces” and has the authority to detain gang members that are not in current units.
The vote was 12-0, with Russia, China and Pakistan abstaining.
The first Kenyans arrived in Haiti in June 2024, and the unit was supposed to have a 2,500 troops, but suffered from a lack of funds, and are now less than 1,000.
The gang has been in power ever since. President Jovenel Moys assassination 2021. They are now Manage 90% of capitalPort-au-prince, and expanded their activities, including looting, lure, sexual assault, rape, In the countryside. Haiti has not had a president since its assassination.
The seven-page resolution expresses gratitude to Kenya for leading the multinational forces, but reaffirms Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ findings in February, saying it needs to be addressed and expanded in response to the dramatic expansion of the gang.
The resolution has worked with the Haitian government for the first 12 months to allow UN member states to move towards gang suppression forces.
The military says it will consist of 5,500 uniformed personnel and 50 civilians paid for voluntary contributions.
Laurent San Sier, leader of Haiti’s transitional presidential council, cheered on the vote on Tuesday.
“This vote marks a critical turning point in our fight against armed criminal groups that have caused sadness in our families, paralyze our economy and threaten the future of our nation,” he said.
Saint-Cyr thanked councillors for supporting the resolution and said he appreciated the US and Panama being at the forefront of the initiative.
The resolution allows new forces to independently or to carry out targeted anti-Gang operations for the “intelligence telecommunications.”
The new forces will also provide security for critical infrastructure, including airports and ports, schools and hospitals, along with Haitian police and military forces. And it would “support Haiti’s efforts to combat illegal human trafficking and the diversion of weapons and related materials.
The security board obligations for Kenya-led multinational forces will end on October 2nd.
