U.S. Halts Push for U.N. Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti Amid…

The Biden administration has discontinued efforts to transition the Kenya-led security mission in Haiti to a formal U.N. peacekeeping operation due to opposition from China and Russia. The upcoming U.N. Security Council vote will seek a one-year extension of the current mission instead, addressing ongoing funding and deployment challenges.

The Biden administration has decided to halt its initiative to transition the Kenya-led security mission in Haiti into a formal United Nations peacekeeping operation, at least for the time being. Following a lack of support from China and Russia, language advocating for such a transformation has been removed from the most recent draft resolution. Instead, the focus will now be on seeking a one-year extension for the existing Multinational Security Support mission, which is set to be voted on by the U.N. Security Council on the upcoming Monday. If approved, this extension will maintain the mandate until October 2025. During negotiations that commenced earlier this month, both China and Russia expressed consistent opposition to any proposals that would prompt the Security Council to plan for a future transition to a U.N. peacekeeping operation. The latest draft resolution, as reported by the Miami Herald, emphasizes an extension of the current mission’s mandate for an additional year while urging the acceleration of police deployments and increased voluntary contributions from the international community. The existing financial constraints severely hinder the mission, delaying the deployment of as many as 2,500 security personnel, which affects efforts to assist the Haitian National Police in combating armed gangs. Despite the arrival of the first contingent of Kenyan police officers nearly four months ago, there are currently only about 400 foreign security staff deployed in Haiti, including a small group of Jamaican soldiers. Earlier this year, due to the funding challenges, the Biden administration explored the possibility of establishing a peacekeeping framework to ensure consistent financial backing for the mission. However, support from Russia and China, both permanent members of the Security Council with veto power, has remained uncertain. Both nations have historically opposed U.N. interventions in Haiti and leverage the current situation to publicly criticize American policies in the region. Additionally, although China ranks as the second-largest financial contributor to the United Nations, it has not shown a willingness to support various global initiatives. Russia has similarly exhibited a consistent reluctance to assist the U.S. in resolving international challenges, with Haiti being no exception. The United States continues to be the primary contributor to the multinational security mission, having provided over $300 million. However, it is facing difficulties in encouraging other nations to invest in a U.N. trust fund intended to finance operational needs, given that the annual cost of the Kenya-led operation is estimated at $600 million. Should the current draft resolution pass, Russia and China will have the opportunity to show support for Haiti by extending the mission while refraining from directly aiding American efforts, leaving the U.S. potentially responsible for the majority of the financial burden for another year.

Haiti is currently facing a significant security crisis, with increased violence from armed gangs disrupting peace and stability in the region. As a response, the international community has initiated security missions to assist Haitian police forces in restoring order. The Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission was established as an interim measure, but financial challenges have impeded its effectiveness. The Biden administration’s efforts to upgrade this mission into a formal United Nations peacekeeping operation aimed to secure essential funding; however, opposition from permanent Security Council members China and Russia has hindered this process.

In summary, the United States has opted to retract its push for a U.N. peacekeeping operation in Haiti amid objections from China and Russia, instead seeking to extend the mandate of the current Multinational Security Support mission. While this move may allow Russia and China to publicly show their support for Haiti, it does not alleviate the financial burden resting predominantly on the shoulders of the U.S., which continues to lead in funding the operation while struggling to source additional contributions from other nations.

Original Source: www.miamiherald.com