The Haitian government has broken its silence after revelations that most member states of the Organisation of American States (OAS) support critical changes to the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti.
The reforms could lead to a shift in the leadership of the mission away from Kenya, with another country possibly given the mandate with an additional intention to expand the force to over 5,000 troops.
In a statement, the office of Haiti Prime Minister Alix Dider Fils-Aimé described the U.S.-led proposal as “a decisive step” in restoring state authority and protecting communities ravaged by armed gangs. Haiti noted that, if adopted, the resolution would not only strengthen national stability but also contribute to broader regional security, according to the Miami Herald.
“Haiti is convinced that the adoption and rapid implementation of this draft resolution will reflect the collective will of the international community to support the Haitian people in their legitimate aspiration for security, peace, dignity, and democracy,” the government said.
Haiti’s backing adds weight to the endorsements already given by the OAS and the 15-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which aims to expand the mandate of the mission to include making arrests, intelligence operations, among others.
This comes as the Donald Trump administration intensifies efforts to secure votes at the U.N. Security Council, where permanent members China and Russia hold veto powers.
The United States and Panama are currently in negotiations at the United Nations Security Council to widen the mandate of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission, whose current 1-year mandate expires at the end of this month, having arrived in October last year.
The proposal mirrors recommendations earlier made by U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres in February.
However, recent budget cuts to the U.N. by the Trump administration have sparked concerns about whether the plan will succeed, given that the Haiti mission would rely on contributions from U.N. member states to the peacekeeping budget.
Meanwhile, in their joint declaration, OAS members threw their weight behind the establishment of a U.N. Support Office for Haiti, with the latest endorsement from Canada, even as other nations continue to submit their endorsements.
They also endorsed transitioning the current MSS into a new force that is focused on the establishment of a safe and stable environment for Haitian authorities to restore and maintain the rule of law, including through dismantling gangs.
OAS members pledged to support Haitian-led initiatives addressing the underlying causes of violence, including weak democratic institutions, corruption, poverty, inequality, and limited access to education and basic services.
Kenya currently has nearly 1,000 police officers stationed in Haiti. However, plans to deploy additional officers have stalled since the Trump administration took office due to budget cuts, given that the United States is one of the mission’s largest funders.
