The United Nations Security Council has approved a multinational force to assist in Haiti as the Caribbean nation contends with widespread gang violence.
The 15-member council voted overwhelmingly in favor on Monday, with 13 approving a Kenya-led mission to Haiti. The remaining two countries on the council—Russia and China—abstained, citing fears over Haiti’s troubled history with foreign involvement.
The UN estimates 5.2 million people, nearly half the population, currently require humanitarian assistance. Gang violence has displaced approximately 200,000 residents and killed 3,000 people this year alone, with 1,500 more kidnapped for ransom.
Haiti has not held general elections on the federal level since before the assassination of President Jovenel Moise: Its last remaining senators saw their terms expire in January.
In response to the violence, Monday’s UN resolution authorizes the creation and year-long deployment of a “Multinational Security Support” mission to bolster Haitian police, restore security, and protect critical infrastructure. The force would be subject to a review after nine months.
Read more here.
