December 23, 2024
Leslie Voltaire, the President of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council (TPC), has officially requested that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres transform the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, currently led by Kenya, into a United Nations peacekeeping mission. This proposal aims to strengthen operational capabilities on the ground to address Haiti’s ongoing security challenges.
In a letter dated October 21, Voltaire acknowledged the progress made since the MSS’s arrival, while also noting that the current efforts are insufficient to fully restore security in the country. He indicated that, although joint operations have yielded positive results, the threats facing the Haitian population require a more robust intervention. Voltaire stressed the urgency of this transformation, stating that it would enhance the mission’s financial and logistical resources.
This request follows a similar appeal made by Edgard Leblanc, another TPC figure, during the United Nations General Assembly last September. According to Voltaire, upgrading the MMAS to a peacekeeping mission would extend its mandate and provide better protection for the Haitian people—a central objective in current discussions.
The TPC president also praised Kenyan President William Ruto and other contributing governments for deploying MMAS personnel to Haiti since June 2024. He highlighted the support of countries like the United States and Ecuador for the proposed mission upgrade. However, certain members of the Security Council, including China and Russia, have expressed reservations about this option.