December 22, 2024
During a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, Russia and China firmly opposed transforming the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti into an official UN peacekeeping mission. This stance comes as the situation in Haiti worsens, with armed gangs controlling about 85% of Port-au-Prince and expanding into surrounding areas. Recent incidents, including shootings at planes and attacks in affluent areas like Pétion-Ville, underscore the urgent need for enhanced security measures.
China’s deputy ambassador, Geng Shuang, argued that discussing peacekeeping is premature since peace has not yet been restored. He criticized the U.S.-led proposal, saying it risks diverting attention from the immediate funding and resource needs of the existing MSS mission. Similarly, Russia expressed concerns, emphasizing that the UN’s role is not to combat urban crime or stabilize a deeply troubled state.
The challenges are stark: while the force is supposed to include 2,500 officers, only 430—mostly from Kenya, with smaller contributions from the Bahamas, Belize, and Jamaica—are currently deployed. Additionally, the UN trust fund for this mission faces a significant shortfall, with hundreds of millions of dollars still needed. The U.S. has pledged $300 million but has urged other nations to increase their support, which remains insufficient to meet operational demands.
Despite this deadlock, some Council members and regional partners back the transition to a UN mission. Kenya, leading the MSS mission, highlighted the need for a stronger and better-equipped deployment to secure critical infrastructure like the national palace and the capital’s port. However, this support has not swayed Russia and China, who insist that current conditions are unsuitable for a peacekeeping mission.