September 16, 2019
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Situation in Haiti

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United Nations Security Council

Topic: Situation in Haiti

Haiti has faced recurring cycles of political instability, violence, and economic hardship since the end of the Duvalier dictatorship in 1986. In recent years, conditions have deteriorated severely, particularly following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7, 2021. The killing left a power vacuum and deepened an ongoing constitutional crisis, as no elected officials remained in office. Ariel Henry, appointed by Moïse shortly before his death, assumed the role of acting Prime Minister, but his legitimacy has been disputed by political opponents and civil society groups.

The Haitian National Police (PNH) has struggled to contain escalating gang violence. Armed groups now control an estimated 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, effectively cutting off transportation routes and paralyzing basic government functions. Kidnappings, sexual violence, and mass displacements have become widespread. The breakdown of order has also worsened Haiti’s humanitarian crisis, with millions lacking access to food, clean water, and healthcare. The World Food Programme reports that nearly half the population (about 4.9 million people) now face acute hunger.

In response, the United Nations has maintained a presence in Haiti through various missions over the years. The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) operated from 2004 to 2017, followed by the smaller political mission known as the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH). However, insecurity and limited resources have hindered progress. On October 2, 2023, the UN Security Council (UNSC) adopted Resolution 2699, authorizing a Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, led by Kenya, to assist the Haitian National Police in restoring order and protecting critical infrastructure. This mission officially deployed in mid-2024, but implementation challenges and questions of sovereignty have slowed its impact.

Haiti’s situation remains deeply complex. Decades of corruption, foreign interference, poverty, and environmental disasters have eroded state capacity and public trust. As of 2025, Haiti stands at a crossroads: the Security Council must balance the urgency of stabilizing security with respect for Haitian-led governance and long-term institution-building.

 

Focus Questions:

  • What risks or obstacles must the UNSC consider when supporting a restraint of security and governance in Haiti?
  • What roles has the UNSC already played in Haiti and what have been the results so far? What does/should this role look like in the future?
  • What role should the MSS play in stabilizing the country, and how can its mandate be made more effective?

 

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