12 September | 10:00am – 11:30am|  In-Person & Online

The steady rise in gang violence encapsulates every aspect of daily life in the capital Port-au-Prince and has now spread to other parts of the country outside of the metropolitan areas. From January to August this year, over 2,400 people have been killed and over 900 kidnappings have occurred. Gang violence has further displaced thousands of people in Haiti resulting in a severe security, humanitarian, and political crisis. With the collapse in law enforcement and judicial systems, gang violence has prompted vigilante killings by “self-defense” groups in what is known as the “Bwa-Kale” movement, resulting in the targeted killing of anyone suspected of gang affiliation.

The spiraling security and political situation prompted the UN Secretary-General to visit Haiti in July 2023 and, in accordance with his reporting requirements to the Security Council, undertake an assessment of the security situation and options for international intervention, including but not limited to a multinational police force.

In his letter to the Security Council dated 14 August 2023, the Secretary-General notes, “Haiti’s current context is not conducive to peacekeeping. Enhancing security requires the restoration of law and order… [and] nothing short of the robust use of force, complemented by a suite of non-kinetic measures, by a capable specialized multinational police force enabled by military assets, coordinated with the national police, would be able to achieve these objectives.”1 The Secretary-General further outlines considerations for UN support to a multinational force (MNF), including deploying a UN logistical support operation and expanding the mandate and capabilities of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).

The Partnership for Effective Peacekeeping thus proposes a roundtable to assess options for engagement by the UN and the U.S. government, and how they connect to a political and humanitarian strategy for Haiti. To inform the discussion, experts and practitioners will be invited to share research and lessons learned from peacekeeping and deployment of other forces, as well as explore potential challenges and creative ideas for the way forward.