UN expands arms embargo in Haiti amid escalating gang violence
Key Points(5)
- Security Council voted unanimously on Friday to broaden the arms embargo on Haiti, now extending it to all types of weapons and ammunition in response to the growing levels of gang violence and criminal activity in the Caribbean nation.
- The new resolution empowers the 193 U.N.
- member states to take "appropriate steps" to prevent the illicit trafficking and diversion of arms to Haiti, where U.N.
- experts have reported a rise in sophisticated weapons being smuggled in, primarily from the U.S., with Florida being a major source.
- Additionally, the resolution extends the existing travel ban and asset freeze on individuals listed on the U.N.
The U.N. Security Council voted unanimously on Friday to broaden the arms embargo on Haiti, now extending it to all types of weapons and ammunition in response to the growing levels of gang violence and criminal activity in the Caribbean nation.
The new resolution empowers the 193 U.N. member states to take "appropriate steps" to prevent the illicit trafficking and diversion of arms to Haiti, where U.N. experts have reported a rise in sophisticated weapons being smuggled in, primarily from the U.S., with Florida being a major source.
Additionally, the resolution extends the existing travel ban and asset freeze on individuals listed on the U.N. sanctions blacklist for another year. In late September, two more names were added to the list, which already includes five prominent gang leaders.
Gang violence in Haiti has surged since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, with criminal groups now controlling up to 80% of Port-au-Prince, the capital, and expanding their influence into surrounding areas. The rampant violence, marked by killings, rapes, and kidnappings, has spurred civilian vigilante groups to rise up against the gangs.
Earlier this month, the Security Council also unanimously approved extending the mandate of the Kenya-led multinational force assisting the Haitian National Police in combating the gangs. However, Kenyan President William Ruto and Haiti’s Prime Minister Garry Conille have called on international partners to fulfill their commitments to the U.N.-backed mission, stressing that the operation needs more resources, with its current budget set to run out by March 2025.
Kenya is set to deploy an additional 600 officers next month, adding to the 400 already stationed in Haiti. Other countries, including Jamaica, have also sent police officers and soldiers to assist, but the combined number remains far below the 2,500 troops pledged by nations such as Chad, Benin, Bangladesh, and Barbados.
The resolution, co-sponsored by Ecuador and the United States, also encourages Haiti’s government to improve the management of police weapons and ammunition, as well as seized arms, and to strengthen border and customs controls to curb the illicit arms trade.
The panel of experts overseeing the implementation of these sanctions will continue its work for another 13 months under the new mandate. While the arms embargo previously covered only "small arms, light weapons, and ammunition," it has now been expanded to include "arms and related material of all types."
