Key facts
- Haiti's foreign minister requested the UN Security Council renew the mandate of an international anti-gang force.
- The minister emphasized the need for stronger support to hold elections on December 13 amid gang violence.
- The OAS highlighted an urgent need for more support, noting that about 1 million national identity cards still need to be produced.
- A new UN-mandated Gang Suppression Force has about 20% of its personnel deployed.
- Haiti has not held elections since 2016 due to escalating gang control.
Haiti's foreign minister, Raina Forbin, urged the UN Security Council to renew the mandate of an international force supporting the nation's police, emphasizing that enhanced backing is essential for holding the country's first election in a decade amidst pervasive gang violence. Speaking at an Organization of American States (OAS) meeting, Forbin called for the force to be fully deployed as soon as possible and for its 12-month mandate to be extended before its expiration this month.
Forbin stated, "We need technical, financial, logistical and safety support that is up to the challenge," referring to Haiti's plan to conduct elections on December 13. She added, "We must now move from solidarity to action."
OAS Secretary-General Albert Ramdin indicated that discussions with Haiti's provisional electoral council revealed an urgent requirement for additional support. He noted that approximately 1 million national identity cards still need to be produced and distributed before voting can proceed. The OAS plans to deploy an Electoral Observation Mission at Haiti's request and already has personnel in the country to aid in ensuring a credible vote.
Haiti's electoral council has granted extensions for certain pre-election procedures and intends to release its list of candidates on October 14. The nation has not held elections since 2016, as consecutive governments repeatedly postponed votes while armed gangs expanded their influence and formed a broad alliance. Haiti initially sought foreign military assistance in 2022. An earlier UN-backed force, deployed in 2024, faced resource limitations, and its predominantly Kenyan troops departed earlier this year. A new UN-mandated mission, the Gang Suppression Force, was authorized a year ago, with Justin Gorkowski, co-leader of a U.S. oversight team, reporting that about 20% of the force is currently deployed. Gorkowski added, "The force is focusing its limited resources on priority areas. We're building this mission from the ground up; it takes time."