The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has expressed keen interest in the draft United Nations Security Council resolution tabled by the United States and Panama, which proposes further security assistance for Haiti as requested by the Haitian government and recommended by the U.N. Secretary-General. This resolution comes at a critical time as Haiti continues to face escalating insecurity and humanitarian crises, including widespread killings, kidnappings, gender-based violence, territorial losses, and mass displacement caused by armed gangs.
The draft resolution acknowledges the contributions of the Multilateral Security Support Mission (MSS) to peace and stability in Haiti, highlighting the leadership of Kenya and the support of other contributing member states, as well as the assistance of donor countries. It endorses the Secretary-General’s recommendations, approved by Haiti, for deploying an increased security force and establishing a U.N. Support Office to provide logistical and operational support.
The resolution proposes transitioning the MSS into a “Gang Suppression Force (GSF)” with a ceiling of 5,500 personnel, equipped with a robust mandate to address security challenges. Funding for the GSF personnel is expected from voluntary sources, while the Support Office will be funded through U.N. member state assessments. The draft also references the Organization of American States (OAS) Roadmap for Stability and Peace in Haiti and considers potential logistical support from the OAS for the GSF.
CARICOM urges U.N. Security Council members, especially permanent members, to consider Haiti’s dire situation and the prolonged suffering of its people. The adoption of this draft resolution is seen as a vital step toward bringing hope, relief, and stability to a nation currently described by the U.N. Secretary-General as being in a “perfect storm of suffering.”
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