0 months ago
Haiti Urges U.N. to Renew Anti-Gang Force Mandate
Haiti wants to hold an election on December 13 after not voting nationally since 2016.
However, armed gangs control large areas and make the election difficult to organize safely.
Haiti’s foreign minister asked the United Nations to continue supporting an international anti-gang force.
She also said the force needs more money, equipment, logistical help and security support.
Only about 20% of the new force has arrived in Haiti so far.
Officials said the mission is being built gradually because it has limited resources.
Haiti also needs to make and distribute about 1 million identity cards before people can vote.
The Organization of American States plans to send observers if Haiti requests them.
The electoral council has extended some deadlines and plans to release the candidate list on October 14.
Haiti’s foreign minister urged the U.N. Security Council to renew the international force’s mandate before it expires this month.
Raina Forbin said stronger technical, financial, logistical and security support is needed for Haiti’s planned December 13 election.
About 20% of the new Gang Suppression Force is currently deployed, according to U.S. oversight official Justin Gorkowski.
OAS Secretary-General Albert Ramdin said Haiti still needs to produce and distribute about 1 million national identity cards before voting.
Haiti’s electoral council extended some deadlines and plans to publish its candidate list on October 14.
- Who
- Haiti’s Foreign Minister Raina Forbin, the U.N. Security Council, the Gang Suppression Force and the Organization of American States are central to the developments.
- What
- Haiti is seeking renewal and stronger support for the U.N.-mandated anti-gang force ahead of a planned national election.
- Where
- Haiti, during a meeting of the Organization of American States.
- When
- The appeal was made on Thursday, September 3; the force’s mandate expires this month, and the election is planned for December 13.
- Why
- Haiti says additional support is needed to address widespread gang violence and prepare for a credible election.
Haiti’s Call for Immediate Support
Mission Officials’ Gradual Deployment Approach
Speed of deployment
Haiti’s Call for Immediate Support
Haiti’s Foreign Minister Raina Forbin called for the force to deploy fully as soon as possible, saying the planned election requires stronger backing.
Mission Officials’ Gradual Deployment Approach
Justin Gorkowski said about 20% of the force is deployed and that the mission is being built from the ground up, which takes time.
Resources and mandate
Haiti’s Call for Immediate Support
Haiti requested technical, financial, logistical and safety support and urged the Security Council to extend the force’s mandate before it expires.
Mission Officials’ Gradual Deployment Approach
Gorkowski said the force is focusing its limited resources on priority areas rather than immediately expanding across all areas.
Key facts
- Planned election
- December 13
- Last national election
- Haiti has not held elections since 2016.
- Force deployment
- About 20% of the new Gang Suppression Force is deployed in Haiti.
- Identity cards needed
- About 1 million national identity cards still must be produced and distributed.
- Candidate list
- Haiti’s electoral council plans to publish it on October 14.
- Mandate status
- The force’s 12-month mandate is due to expire this month.
- Election observers
- The Organization of American States said it would deploy an Electoral Observation Mission at Haiti’s request.
Quotes
Justin Gorkowski
Co-leader of a U.S. oversight team monitoring the mission
“The force is focusing its limited resources on priority areas. We’re building this mission from the ground up; it takes time.”
theprint.in
“We need technical, financial, logistical and safety support that is up to the challenge”
theprint.in
Sources
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