Security Council urges Haiti's leaders to hold election as deadline nears

On Wed, Oct 18, 2023, members of the U.N. Security Council addressed Haiti's leadership regarding the urgency of establishing security and facilitating general elections, as the deadline for forming a new government approaches.

Haiti's transitional presidential council is mandated to conduct general elections by Fri, Feb 7, 2026, marking the end of the council's term.

Carlos Ruiz Massieu, special representative of the U.N. Secretary-General for Haiti and head of the U.N. Integrated Office in Haiti, highlighted the pressing need for a clear plan towards democratic governance during the U.N. Security Council meeting.

While a specific date for the general election has yet to be set, technical preparations are in progress. The Provisional Electoral Council of Haiti has evaluated voting centers in nine out of ten departments, identifying approximately 1,309 centers for around 6.2 million voters.

Despite preparations, gang violence remains prevalent, with the U.N. documenting 2,123 victims between Jun 1 and Aug 31, 2023. Violence is notably increasing in the Artibonite and Central departments.

Gangs are reported to control an estimated 90% of Port-au-Prince, resulting in the displacement of a record 1.4 million individuals across the nation.

Mike Waltz, the U.S. ambassador to the U.N., emphasized the importance of international support in helping Haiti regain control. He urged Haiti's political and private sectors to contribute to establishing a democratically elected government.

The United Kingdom representative supported Waltz's remarks and acknowledged ongoing sanctions against certain Haitian individuals. The representative also stressed the need for future sanctions to focus on the economic and political backers of powerful gangs.

The U.N. Security Council's recent authorization of a gang suppression force aims to replace a smaller, under-resourced mission previously led by Kenyan police.

Based on reporting by Africanews.