Haiti supports UN mission to combat gang violence

Haiti is currently grappling with severe gang violence, which has overwhelmed local authorities and left many citizens living in fear. The transitional presidential council, led by Edgard Leblanc Fils, has recently voiced support for a U.N. peacekeeping mission, marking the first public endorsement from a government official since the U.S. proposed such an initiative. This comes in response to the dire security situation, where armed gangs control approximately 80% of Port-au-Prince, exacerbated by the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021. The U.N.-backed mission, which includes nearly 400 Kenyan officers and support from Jamaica, is currently underfunded and understaffed. Council President Leblanc emphasized the need to transform the existing security support mission into a more traditional peacekeeping operation. However, there are concerns from some U.N. Security Council members, particularly Russia and China, regarding changes to the mission's mandate. The historical context of foreign military interventions in Haiti, including past U.N. missions marred by allegations of misconduct, complicates the current situation. Many Haitians remain skeptical about the effectiveness of foreign troops due to previous experiences, including a cholera outbreak linked to U.N. peacekeepers that resulted in nearly 10,000 deaths. As violence continues to escalate, with over 3,600 reported killings in the first half of the year alone, the Haitian government is under pressure to restore order. Prime Minister Garry Conille has indicated plans for elections by November, despite acknowledging the lack of security. The hope is that improved conditions will encourage Haitians who have fled to return home.