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Time to 'Turn the Tide of Violence', Special Representative for Haiti Tells Security Council, amid Calls for Dialogue, Unity in Tackling Gang Violence

Meetings Coverage
Security Council

10022nd Meeting (PM)

SC/16199
22 October 2025

On the heels of decisions to transition the Multinational Security Support Mission to the Gang Suppression Force and renew the sanctions regime concerning Haiti, the Security Council heard today that improving the security situation there is necessary to advance a political transition process that envisions a transfer of authority to elected officials in February 2026.

Armed Gangs Expand Grip as Election Preparations Advance

"Armed gangs have maintained their grip on the capital and continued to expand into the Artibonite, the Centre and, most recently, the Northwest department[s], spreading terror among the Haitian population and hindering the functioning of State institutions," reported Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). Further, more than 1.4 million people are displaced, the human-rights situation remains concerning and sexual violence continues to be used systematically as a tool of domination and terror — particularly against women and girls.

"At the same time, the erosion of family and community protective structures — combined with the lack of social protection and limited economic alternatives — creates fertile ground for the exploitation and recruitment of children by gangs," he pointed out. Gangs continue to extort businesses and public transportation, ransack both public and private property, attack farmers and local producers in rural areas and restrict access to essential services by controlling roads. "Against this backdrop, I truly welcome the adoption of resolution 2793 (2025) authorizing the transition to the Gang Suppression Force and the establishment of the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH)," he said.

Also welcoming the Council's renewal of the sanctions regime on 17 October, he emphasized that improving the security situation is vital to support Haitian-led efforts to advance the political process. On that, he noted that the "transition clock is ticking" as current arrangements foresee the transfer of authority to elected officials by 7 February 2026. While expressing concern that a path towards the restoration of democratic governance has yet to emerge, he welcomed steps taken by national authorities to prioritize electoral preparations to avoid a political vacuum beyond that date. For its part, BINUH is working to promote dialogue and "bring the transition to a close", he said.

"Simultaneous progress on the security front, the political process and the application of sanctions against spoilers remain key to fostering stability, restoring democratic governance, ending impunity and building a more prosperous Haiti," he stressed. Stating that the Council's recent actions were signals of reassurance that the international community stands with the Haitian people during this critical moment, he urged: "Now is the time to swiftly translate this signal into real progress and turn the tide of violence."

Elements for Lasting Stability

Welcoming the Council's recent decisions, the representative of the United States said that the Gang Suppression Force and UNSOH will "lay the groundwork for long-term stability" in Haiti. For its part, the United States will remain "relentless in pursuing those who undermine Haitian security", using "all available tools" — including indictments, arrests, financial sanctions, arms seizures and visa restrictions. Affirming that "the era of impunity is over" for gang leaders, he emphasized that — while international support is vital — "long-term recovery will depend on the Haitian people" and their political class working towards democratic governance.

Similarly, the representative of the United Kingdom said that stability and lasting peace can only be achieved "if the efforts of the international community are matched with decisive political action by all Haitian stakeholders". In response to the "brutal" reality in the country — where "a rape occurs every two hours", according to data from the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs — the Council converted the Multinational Security Support mission into a "larger and better-equipped" Gang Suppression Force backed by UNSOH. "It is now time", he stressed, for Haitian authorities to "step up and match these efforts".

Condemning the widespread, well-documented crimes against children in Haiti, Denmark's representative urged Haitian authorities to develop a structured, gender-responsive voluntary defection and reintegration programme with BINUH's support. She also called on those authorities to "promptly designate a national institution to assume leadership of disarmament, demobilization and reintegration efforts". And, expressing concern over Haiti's political transition as the February 2026 deadline for restoring democratic institutions looms, she underscored that "critical decisions will be required by national authorities and stakeholders in the weeks to come".

While similarly urging that "all necessary political arrangements proceed expeditiously in order to avoid a political vacuum", Greece's representative emphasized that the restoration of security "remains the critical first step towards political transition and the peaceful holding of elections". In that context, she said that the Gang Suppression Force's "robust" mandate — coupled with stronger UN engagement — "could significantly curtail gang violence and restore security in Haiti". She, too, called for the "swift" establishment of a national institution for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, as well as the implementation of further measures to reduce community violence.

Needed: Cooperation — Free From External Interference

Panama's representative also called on Haiti to improve its operations against criminal gangs while welcoming the newly authorized Gang Suppression Force and the renewed sanctions regime. However, he urged greater international cooperation in strengthening the latter. On that, the representative of France said that his country will continue to advocate for the listing of additional individuals where necessary, including political and economic actors who provide support to gangs. The representative of the Republic of Korea, underscoring that the sanctions regime must be fully utilized, called for the listing of political figures financing gangs.

However, the representative of the Russian Federation — Council President for October — spoke in his national capacity to stress that UN sanctions must not be imposed on those who may later play a role in Haiti's political life. He also warned that the crisis in that country has lasted so long that there is a danger of "getting used to what is happening" there. External interference — from military intervention to economic coercion — has blocked Haiti's stable development, and he condemned attempts to "reshape the country's political landscape" to suit the political interests of former colonial Powers.

"Only a Haitian-led and Haitian-owned solution — once security conditions permit — can lead to the full restoration of democratic institutions and economic recovery," stressed Slovenia's representative. Such a process "cannot just be a slogan, nor can it be delayed indefinitely", urged the representative of China, calling for all factions to build consensus towards legitimate governance. On security, he emphasized that "the Haitian authorities must assume primary responsibility".

"All efforts — regional or international — must, therefore, be aimed at building the capacity of the Haitian State to provide internal security, control the flow and possession of arms, build institutional frameworks, advance responsive governance and ensure rule of law," said Pakistan's representative. And, while noting that "many questions remain unanswered" regarding the Gang Suppression Force's concept of operations and sustainable funding, he added that, regardless, the Force alone "cannot be considered a 'magic bullet' unless the fundamental underlying issues are resolved".

In that vein, the representative of Guyana — also speaking for Algeria, Sierra Leone and Somalia — commended UN support for elections and judicial reform and stated that strengthening Haiti's justice institutions and tackling illicit weapons flows are critical to breaking the cycle of violence. Emphasizing that "sustained security gains cannot be achieved without advancing the political process", she urged Haitian stakeholders to engage in "meaningful dialogue involving all segments of society".

Regional Perspectives: Reconciliation, Humanitarian Support and Financing

"It goes without saying that the restoration of security remains the Government's absolute priority," said Haiti's representative. Detailing efforts towards this end, he called on BINUH to strengthen its support to the Government's policy for disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, which is "essential" to create lasting security rooted in reconciliation, social cohesion and respect for human rights. "Sooner or later, the gangs and their national and foreign allies will be rendered unable to do any harm," he added, urging that BINUH's mandate also include support for a programme for "members of gangs that voluntarily lay down their arms" and for the reintegration of "children and adolescents caught up in terrorism".

For his part, the representative of the Dominican Republic urged greater support for children recruited by armed gangs — who often have no other choice — pointing out that critical programmes such as these will require international financing. He also said that the authorization of the Gang Suppression Force and the renewal of the sanctions regime was "the most resolute international response that this Council has offered to Haiti in years". Future sanctions listings, he added, should include all those financing or facilitating violence, and sexual violence should be used as a standalone criterion.

Belize's representative — speaking for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) — welcomed the Council's recent actions and observed that, to be transformative, they must be met with sustained, predictable financing and the deployment of personnel in the numbers and capabilities required. It is imperative that no vacuum be allowed to emerge — neither in the political process nor in security arrangements and aid delivery. Expressing particular concern over reports that Haiti's health system is on the verge of collapse and that 3.3 million children require humanitarian relief, she stressed that this ongoing tragedy is not distant — "it is unfolding scarcely a few hours' flight from where we meet today".