Condemning in the strongest terms the escalation of violence, criminal activities and human rights violations in Haiti, the Security Council unanimously adopted, on 14 July 2023,the resolution 2692 (2023) by which it decides to extend until July 15, 2024 the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).

By this text, the Security Council requests the Secretary-General to submit to it a written report, in consultation with Haiti, within thirty days, describing the full range of possibilities for support that the United Nations could provide to improve the state of security, including but not limited to supporting the fight against the illicit trade and diversion of arms and related materiel; additional training of the Haitian National Police (PNH); support for a non-UN multinational force; or the possibility of a peacekeeping operation, as part of a political settlement in Haiti.

For the representative of Haiti, the disappointment was great because "today, in Haiti, all eyes are on this meeting of the Security Council, and everyone is waiting for a concrete decision on the deployment of an international force, but such is not the case”.

The representative of Haiti welcomed the fact that the expansion of BINUH's mandate takes into account the reality and the new challenges that are emerging in his country. Among the advances contained in the resolution, he cited the strengthening of the Office's police unit, the call for cooperation among Member States to combat illicit arms trafficking and diversion, as well as the appeal to contribute to the fund for security assistance and to provide support to the National Police of Haiti (PNH).

However, he insisted, "[...] the extension of BINUH's mandate will not be enough to help Haiti face the security challenges facing the country, and we will have to find innovative ideas and form synergies that could to respond to the situation, to achieve the sending of long-awaited robust international assistance to support the PNH in its fight against heavily armed gangs." In this regard, he expressed his gratitude to the countries that wish to respond to the request of the Haitian Prime Minister.

The resolution remains, however, the expression of the solidarity of the members of the Council with the Haitian people to help them define their future and restore democratic order in the country, and the extension of the mandate of BINUH is an important step towards this objective. This unanimous adoption sends a loud and clear message to gang members and leaders who beset Haiti, Ecuador said. This reflects the Council members' belief that BINUH continues to be a positive force in Haiti, the United States assured.

Download the UN Security Council Resolution (French PDF): https://www.haitilibre.com/docs/S-2023-519-FR.pdf

HL/ HaitiLibre