UN Proposes Greater Responsibility in Multinational Force for Haiti

Photo: Antonio Guterres

February 20, 2025 Hour: 1:51 pm

United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has proposed that the UN take on a more significant role in the multinational support force for Haiti, particularly after the withdrawal of the United States from the mission.

During the annual meeting of Caribbean Community (Caricom) heads of government, Guterres announced that he would present a proposal to the UN Security Council similar to the one implemented in Somalia, where the UN would cover the structural and logistical expenses of the force. The goal is to create an effective force to combat gangs in Haiti and enable the revival of democracy in the country.

“If the Security Council accepts this proposal,” Guterres stated, “we will finally have an effective force to confront the gangs in Haiti and establish the necessary conditions for democracy to thrive.”

The exquisite beauty of the Caribbean is famed the world over.

But there is trouble in paradise – @antonioguterres tells @CARICOMorg 48th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in Barbados. pic.twitter.com/CyorEC9XvQ
— UN Spokesperson (@UN_Spokesperson) February 19, 2025

Context and Challenges of the Multinational Mission

This initiative follows the Trump administration’s decision to immediately withdraw U.S. support from the multinational mission in Haiti. Currently, this police support force, led by Kenya, has begun its deployment in Haiti, but is facing international funding challenges.

Guterres expressed concern about the “intolerable suffering” caused by the gangs in Haiti and thanked Caricom for its continued support. He also emphasized the need for a Haitian-led political process to restore democratic institutions through elections.

Barbados’ Prime Minister, Mia Mottley, who currently chairs Caricom, confirmed that Haiti will hold elections on November 15, but warned that the situation in the country is rapidly worsening. “We cannot allow Haiti to continue in this situation for another 10 or 20 years,” Mottley stressed.

Meanwhile, Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, emphasized that many of Haiti’s challenges are not the fault of its people and highlighted the right of Haitians to live in peace and dignity. He also acknowledged Haiti’s historical significance as the first Black republic to gain independence, underlining the importance of continued international support for the nation.

Alarming Figures of Haiti’s Crisis

According to UN data, at least 5,626 people were killed in Haiti in 2024 due to gang violence, 2,213 were injured, and 1,494 were kidnapped.

This severe humanitarian crisis has led the UN and the international community to seek urgent solutions to restore peace and democracy in the Caribbean nation.