UN extends international force’s stay in Haiti another year

The United Nations Security Council voted to unanimously extend the Multinational Security Support (MSS) on Monday, Sept. 30, meant to curb mass gang violence in Haiti . The international force led by Kenya, struggling with underfunding and limited police officers, will now stay in Haiti until October of 2025.

However, the resolution does not fix the funding and personnel problems, it only "encourages additional voluntary donations" and the deployment of additional forces. Currently, only 410 of the promised 2,500 personnel are in the country.

Additionally, the U.N. Security Council rejected calls for an international peacekeeping mission after Russia and China objected. This is despite pleas from the Haitian president and a previous push by the United States for U.N. peacekeepers.

Some diplomats accused the United States of appeasing Russia and China by dropping the call for a U.N. peacekeeping mission, but a U.S. official told Reuters that it is a strategic move to build momentum for an international force.

Many Haitians are also reportedly leery of an armed U.N. presence after past operations were plagued by allegations of sex abuse and left behind a Cholera epidemic.

Meanwhile, Haitian officials warn conditions are worsening despite the deployment of the current support operation, as only a few hundred officers struggle to stop gangs that have overtaken the majority of the country. More than 700,000 people have reportedly fled their homes to escape the violence, and a hunger crisis is spreading.

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