On Monday morning, April 21, 2025, the UN Security Council will hold an open briefing on Haiti, followed by closed consultations. Maria Isabel Salvador, Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), will brief on recent developments in Haiti and the Secretary-General's latest report, which was circulated to Council members on April 11 and covers developments since January 13, 2025.

This briefing will be the first Security Council meeting on the situation in Haiti since the members received Secretary-General António Guterres' February 24 letter containing strategic recommendations on options for UN support to Haiti. In his letter, Guterres stated, "[...] at this stage, the transition to a UN peacekeeping operation (blue helmets) is not a feasible option." https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44373-haiti-flash-first-details-on-antonio-guterresproposal-to-the-security-council.html

It is essential that Security Council members discuss the need for UN member states to provide more personnel, funding, and equipment to the Kenyan-led Security Support Mission in Haiti.

In her report, Ms. Salvador describes several gang attacks in the Port-au-Prince area, increasing pressure on previously safe neighborhoods and raising fears of an "imminent collapse" of the State's presence in the capital. It also highlights the gangs' attempts to extend their control beyond Port-au-Prince.

In lieu of a UN peacekeeping operation, the Secretary-General recommended, among other things, the establishment of a UN support office funded by assessed contributions to provide logistical and operational support to the MMSS to strengthen its capacity to conduct robust and targeted operations with the Haitian National Police against criminal groups. He also called for "increasing and strengthening the Mission's strength and equipping it with additional military capabilities and lethal equipment provided bilaterally by Member States to address current gaps," as well as strengthening its intelligence gathering and analytical capabilities. António Guterres also requested that the UN provide support to security forces and non-UN programs to support those who choose to leave criminal groups and to assist Haitian authorities in investigating, prosecuting, and detaining high-risk individuals arrested by the MMAS.

Guterres, while acknowledging that the Haiti Support Mission can help fill capacity gaps in local security forces, is concerned that the mission remains in the deployment phase and lacks the capabilities and equipment for sustainable operations. The Haiti Support Mission recently reached 1,000 personnel; the current strength represents 40% of the 2,500 personnel envisaged in its concept of operations.

The Haiti Mission relies on donors for its essential equipment. Many of its armored vehicles are unsuitable for the urban environment of Port-au-Prince. A shortage of spare parts has rendered 50% of the armored vehicles unusable. Capability limitations, particularly in air support, medical support, and communications systems, further hamper the Mission's effectiveness and raise concerns about the safety of personnel.

The assessment indicates that the mission requires enhanced intelligence capabilities from additional specialized units for effective planning and joint support operations...

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44373-haiti-flash-first-details-on-antonio-guterresproposal-to-the-security-council.html

SL/ HaitiLibre