Haiti’s interim prime minister, Garry Conille, emphasized the urgent need for international support in combatting armed groups that have destabilized the country. Despite efforts, Haiti continues to struggle with violence caused by powerful armed factions. With only a fraction of pledged troops deployed to the region, there is a push to renew the UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) mandate, set to expire in October.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged increased funding for the mission and the Haitian National Police, highlighting the dire situation with over 700,000 people displaced due to the ongoing violence. The United States announced additional aid to Haiti and is exploring the possibility of converting the MSS into a UN peacekeeping operation.
The potential transition received support from Kenyan President William Ruto, although there are concerns among Haitians about UN interventions based on past negative experiences. While civil society leaders welcome the multinational mission’s assistance against armed groups, they stress the need for comprehensive solutions beyond military intervention.