UN-Truth

The UN Security Council has extended for six months the mission for UN peacekeeping in Haiti, known as MINUSTAH.

In its resolution, adopted unanimously, the SC expressed “its appreciation to MINUSTAH, a key actor in the ongoing stabilization of the country, for continuing to assist the Government of Haiti to ensure a secure and stable environment”.

Nevertheless, the Council determined “that the situation in Haiti continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security in the region, despite the progress achieved thus far”.

The Council’s resolution emphasized that “a combination of measures are necessary to effectively disarm, demobilize, and reintegrate gang members and encouraging the Government of Haiti in coordination with the international community, to accelerate efforts towards this end”. And it requested “that MINUSTAH continue the increased tempo of operations in support of the HNP against armed gangs as deemed necessary to restore security, notably in Port-au-Prince, and encourages MINUSTAH and the Government of Haiti to undertake coordinated deterrent actions to decrease the level of violence”.

And it reaffirmed “MINUSTAH’s mandate to provide operational support to the Haitian coast guard, and invites Member States, in coordination with MINUSTAH, to engage with the Government of Haiti to address cross-border illicit trafficking of drugs and arms, and other illegal activities”

In addition, the SC strongly condemned “the grave violations against children affected by armed violence, as well as widespread rape and other sexual abuse of girls”.

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2007/sc8956.doc.htm

The UN Press Release of this meeting reports that: “After adoption of the resolution, China’s representative said MINUSTAH’s central task for the upcoming phase was to assist Haiti in its transition from peacekeeping to peacebuilding. With the needs for security and safety largely met, the Haitian people had a growing demand for improved living conditions, a revitalized reconciliation process, economic development, social justice and the rule of law. For those reasons, China had proposed, among other things, to extend the mandate for six months, and had requested the Secretary-General to conduct an assessment on the changed situation and security risk in Haiti, so that the Council could formulate a viable long-term strategy before deciding the next extension of the Mission’s mandate. He said MINUSTAH’s recent military operations against armed gangs, while necessary, was not a long-term strategy. In the coming months, it should yield more to a political process for solving long-term problems. In resolution 1608 (2005), the Council had temporarily increased the Mission’s military and police component for the elections and had requested a progressive drawdown strategy for the post-election period. With the conclusion of the electoral cycle, the timely implementation of that provision would enhance the effectiveness of the limited resources of the United Nations. The text failed to reflect certain important elements proposed by China, leaving it not as balanced and sufficient as expected. To facilitate consensus, China had agreed to put aside some pending issues, but hoped that they would be addressed before the Council returned to the issue. Panama’s representative welcomed the adoption of the resolution as an important contribution to progress in the pacification and development of Haiti, but regretted that the mandate was only extended for eight months, while the Secretary-General, the Group of Friends of Haiti and the Haitian Government had hoped for 12 months. Haiti would need the support of the United Nations and the countries in the region not just for 12 months, but far beyond…” http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2007/sc8956.doc.htm

Filed under: Haiti, UN Peacekeeping, UN Security Council