Stéphane Dujarric was speaking a day after the Security Council voted to send the non-UN mission to the Caribbean country, where armed groups have taken control of large areas of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and terrorized civilians for more than a year.

The development has been welcomed by the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres. He expressed his approval for it.

Full UN support 

Armed group violence is only one aspect of the complex crisis in Haiti, as the country continues to face political, humanitarian, and socioeconomic difficulties.

The international mission has been authorized for a duration of 12 months, with a reassessment after nine months. Kenya will lead the mission and other neighboring countries of Haiti have also promised their assistance.

Mr. Dujarric stated that the resolution from yesterday was not specifically for the approval of a UN mission, but rather for the support of the Multinational Security Support mission by the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). This support will be within the boundaries of BINUH’s mandate and the Human Rights Due Diligence Policy, while also respecting any decisions made by the Haitian government.

“During the wait for the implementation of this mission, the United Nations will maintain close involvement with Haitian officials, specifically offering assistance to the police, corrections and justice systems, and the electoral process,” he stated.

Positive step 

Maria Isabel Salvador, the leader of BINUH, the United Nations’ political task in Haiti, praised the Council’s choice as “a beneficial and definitive action towards achieving peace and stability in the nation”.

According to a statement released after the vote, this choice was made after an extended request from the Haitian government, communicated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The reasoning behind this decision is that the country cannot overcome its current security crisis without significant assistance from the international community for the Haitian National Police.

Amidst multiple crises in Haiti, she implored political leaders to step up and tackle the pressing issues that are affecting the nation and its people.

Source: news.un.org