Security Council renews UN's political mission in Haiti
Key Points(5)
- The UN Security Council has adopted Resolution 2785, extending the mandate of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) as the country grapples with escalating gang violence, political instability, and humanitarian distress.
- The <a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165391">renewal</a> reaffirms international support for a Haitian-led solution to the crisis.
- The decision comes as armed gangs continue to control large parts of Port-au-Prince.
- More than 1.3 million people have been displaced and over 4,000 killed in the first half of 2025 alone, according to UN figures.
- The security situation has rapidly deteriorated, with rising reports of sexual violence against women and girls, including rape, gang rape, and sexual enslavement.
The UN Security Council has adopted Resolution 2785, extending the mandate of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) as the country grapples with escalating gang violence, political instability, and humanitarian distress. The renewal reaffirms international support for a Haitian-led solution to the crisis.
The decision comes as armed gangs continue to control large parts of Port-au-Prince. More than 1.3 million people have been displaced and over 4,000 killed in the first half of 2025 alone, according to UN figures. The security situation has rapidly deteriorated, with rising reports of sexual violence against women and girls, including rape, gang rape, and sexual enslavement.
In its resolution, the Council also signaled its intention to consider “without delay” recommendations from UN Secretary-General António Guterres regarding potential future roles for the UN in Haiti’s security and stability efforts.
“Each new wave of criminal attacks against the communities and institutions of Haiti is a distressing sign that time is running out,” Guterres warned in a letter to the Council. He urged support for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, authorized in October 2023 to bolster Haiti’s national police. He also emphasized that international backing must be matched by tangible national political progress.
Several Security Council members expressed openness to Guterres' proposals. China’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, said Beijing is willing to work constructively with others.
“We are ready to have candid communication with all parties, explore viable solutions and seek the broadest possible consensus,” Geng said.
Haiti’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Pierre Ericq Pierre, welcomed the Council’s action, saying the extended mandate supports critical political and security efforts ahead of a 2026 transition timeline.
“This extension should help Haitian authorities undertake a real, genuine political dialogue, to strengthen good governance, bolster security and bring about justice and promote human rights,” Pierre said. He added that BINUH must work within a comprehensive plan to support national reforms, including constitutional changes and elections.
The United States, which co-led negotiations on the resolution with Panama, also emphasized urgency.
“Less than one year remains on the Transitional Presidential Council’s planned roadmap for the restoration of democratic institutions,” said Ambassador Dorothy Shea, acting U.S. representative. “Supporting the security of elections and the participation of all sectors of society is key to sustainable political progress in Haiti. Without BINUH, realizing the vision of a stronger, more resilient society would be less likely.”
Council members also acknowledged the appointment of Carlos G. Ruiz Massieu as the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of BINUH, succeeding María Isabel Salvador. Ruiz Massieu, who currently heads the UN Verification Mission in Colombia, brings decades of experience in diplomacy, peace negotiations, and institution-building.
BINUH was established in 2019 to advise Haitian authorities on political dialogue, justice, human rights, and governance. It follows a long history of UN engagement in Haiti, including the peacekeeping mission MINUSTAH, which ended in 2017 after 13 years.
