UN Security Council discussing developments in Haiti
The United Nations Security Council Wednesday has been told that Haitian stakeholders remain divided over the transitional governance architecture that is to lead the country to elections.
The Security Council is holding an open briefing on Haiti with the Special Representative and Head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Carlos Ruiz Massieu, briefing members on recent developments in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
The acting Executive Director of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) John Brandolino is also expected to brief the Security Council, with Massieu noting that the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) in Haiti being unable to organise elections to complete the political transition before February 7, the date on which, according to a May 2024 decree, the TPC’s non-renewable mandate expires.
Massieu has acknowledged the steps taken by the Haitian authorities to advance this process, such as the TPC’s approval on December 1, last year of an electoral decree establishing the rules for the general elections and the December 23, 2025 publication of the electoral calendar by the Provisional Electoral Council, which sets the first round of presidential and legislative elections for August, 30.
But in his report to the Security Council, UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, notes however that Haitian stakeholders “remain divided over the transitional governance architecture that is to lead the country to elections”
Among other things, the Secretary-General’s report notes the expansion in 2025 of the areas affected by gang violence beyond the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and the use by gangs of heavy-calibre weapons.
The report states that, between September 1 and November 30, last year, BINUH recorded 1,991 victims of intentional homicide, including 142 women, 12 girls, and 44 boys.
It also describes the continued use of sexual violence as a punitive tactic by gangs, as well as of kidnapping, extortion, destruction of property, and obstruction of essential services such as health and education.
Additionally, the report notes the reported increase in trafficking of children and the ongoing use of children by gangs in multiple roles, including in violent attacks.
The Secretary-General’s report also notes that police operations conducted mainly in the Port-au-Prince area between October and November 2025, which involved “a private military contractor in some instances”, resulted in at least 199 deaths, including gang members as well as 12 children recruited by gangs.
The report also provides casualty figures related to “drone strikes by a private military contractor” in the country, saying that, between March 1 and December 30 last year, these resulted in at least 973 people killed, of whom 934 were suspected gang members and 39 residents, including 16 children.
The Secretary-General’s report describes several steps taken by the UN to establish the UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) by March 31. These include the identification of locations, procurement activities, establishment of key host country agreements, and confirmation of the GSF’s operational requirements for the provision of logistical support by UNSOH.
Regarding the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), the Secretary General’s report notes the appointment in December 2025 of Jack Christofides, who has held several leadership roles in the UN, as GSF Special Representative.
It also mentions the delivery of equipment that enabled the GSF to dispatch additional supplies and reinforce patrols.
Massieu is encouraging UN member states to support the GSF through personnel, equipment, and financial contributions. (CMC)
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