On 30 September, the Security Council authorized a new multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF) in Haiti to replace the Kenyan-led security support mission, amid escalating gang violence, widespread rights abuses and a humanitarian emergency affecting all aspects of life in the island nation.
The resolution - co-penned by Panama and the United States, and backed by dozens of countries in the region and beyond – was adopted by a vote of 12 in favour, with three abstentions from China, Pakistan, and Russia.
Under an initial 12-month mandate, the Gang Suppression Force will work in close coordination with the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the Haitian armed forces to conduct intelligence-led operations to neutralise gangs, provide security for critical infrastructure, and support humanitarian access.
The 5,550-strong force will also protect vulnerable groups, support reintegration of former fighters and help strengthen Haitian institutions.
The Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, authorised by the Security Council in October 2023, faced chronic underfunding, insufficient personnel, and limited operational capacity, making it difficult to contain gangs that now control large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
While the Multinational Security Support mission enabled the Haitian National Police to regain access to some areas and infrastructure, it struggled to match the scale of the crisis. Kenya, which led the mission, also backed the new mechanism.
Haiti is facing nearly 1.3 million internally displaced people, rising kidnappings, widespread sexual violence, and gangs that control large areas of the capital.
Haiti is not alone
Introducing the text in the Council, Ambassador Eloy Alfaro de Alba of Panama emphasised the urgency of international support.
“Since last year, this Council has requested the Secretary-General to put forward recommendations to address the multidimensional crisis in Haiti ... Haiti is facing an unprecedented, multi-dimensional crisis that requires our decisive attention,” he said.
He urged all Security Council members to support the initiative, stating that doing so would “send a clear message to Haiti – you are not on your own.”
UN Support Office in Haiti
The resolution also tasks the Secretary-General to establish a UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) to provide logistical and operational support to the Gang Suppression Force, Haitian National Police, and Haitian armed forces, including rations, medical care, transportation, strategic communications and troop rotation.
UNSOH will also support the Organization of American States’ SECURE-Haiti project and ensure compliance with international human rights standards.
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