Statement delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN, on behalf of the A3+, at Security Council Briefing on 'The question concerning Haiti'
Thank you, Madam President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+, namely Algeria, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and my own country, Guyana.
We wish to thank SRSG Salvador for her update on the situation in Haiti and for the comprehensive report provided in advance of today’s meeting and welcome the assessment provided by Ms. Russell. We have listened carefully to the presentation of Ms. Ducéna.
We welcome the participation of the Permanent Representative of Haiti, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic H.E. Mr. Roberto Alvarez Gil, and the Permanent Representative of Kenya in our meeting.
Madam President,
Today’s meeting comes on the heels of Dessalines Day - a day of special significance for Haitians as they commemorate the life and legacy of the founding father of Haiti, Jean-Jacques Dessalines, and reflect on the country’s long struggle for freedom.
We extend our best wishes to the Haitian people and hope that this time of reflection will, once again, bolster their collective resolve to break free from the current crisis and forge a brighter future for Haiti - one of peace, unity, and prosperity.
This journey to a better future for Haiti has started and demands that political actors and other stakeholders in Haiti show unity of purpose and safeguard the gains already achieved by faithfully implementing the transitional governance arrangements and building public confidence in state institutions. This remains the most viable path to restoring stability and security; free and fair elections; and the restoration of democratic institutions, thus meeting the foremost expectations of the Haitian people.
The A3+ notes positively that some aspects of the transitional governance arrangements have begun and looks forward to their completion, including the full establishment of the Provisional Electoral Council, the formation of the National Security Council, and the Government Action Control Body.
We also welcome the timely completion, by BINUH, of its strategy of support for the Haitian-led political process as requested in resolution 2743 (2024) and take note of the six priority areas identified.
Madam President,
There is reason for cautious optimism about the transition process in Haiti, however, free, fair, inclusive, and transparent elections require a safe and secure environment where voters can exercise their franchise without fear of intimidation or harm. In this context, the security situation remains an urgent and pressing concern that must be effectively addressed.
The A3+ condemns the shocking attacks carried out by armed criminal gangs on 3rd October in Pont Sondé and extends our condolences to the bereaved. The scale and brutality of this recent attack demonstrate the severity of the security crisis confronting Haiti, as gangs attempt to relocate and recalibrate in response to the arrival of security reinforcements.
It also underlines the urgent need for the full deployment of the MSS mission to effectively turn the tide in the battle against brutal criminal gangs. We commend, once again, the countries that have committed to providing personnel to the MSS and welcome the deployment thus far of personnel from Kenya, Jamaica, Belize, and The Bahamas.
The A3+ calls for greater solidarity and cooperation from Member States to address the resource gap impeding the mission’s full deployment so that it can fully and effectively carry out its mandate. We welcome the concrete pledges announced during last month’s high-level meetings and hope they will be swiftly disbursed.
On the institutional side, we commend the MSS leadership for the proactive stance taken to establish the human rights compliance mechanism and strengthen technical and operational coordination with BINUH.
We also take note of the progress achieved in elaborating guiding documents such as the Oversight, Accountability, and Compliance Policy and the awareness raising sessions held on the principles of the use of force, the treatment of children associated with gangs, the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and humanitarian principles.
Madam President,
The A3+ is compelled to reiterate its call for greater efforts to be made by Member States to curb the illicit trafficking and diversion of arms and ammunition to Haiti and illicit financial flows. Without access to illegal weapons and ammunition, armed criminal gangs would not have been able to hold almost the entire country hostage.
These weapons are also being used to commit sexual and gender-based violence and forcibly recruit and attack children including targeting institutions for children with disabilities. The A3+ condemns these heinous crimes and demands that the perpetrators be brought to justice.
We note the Government’s commitment to judicial reform, curbing corruption, and implementing the National Strategy for Disarmament, Dismantling, Reintegration, and Community Violence Reduction and hope they will soon be concretized.
We also welcome the Council’s decision last week to renew the sanctions measures and expand the arms embargo. We underscore the need to fully implement and enforce the arms embargo and other sanctions measures and remain prepared to expand the sanctions list.
Madam President,
The A3+ is deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in Haiti, described by the Secretary-General as “the most disastrous humanitarian situation in the world”. Over 703,000 people, including children, have been forced to flee their homes due to gang violence. Many children are also impacted by school closures in the West and Artibonite departments and cannot access adequate food and healthcare.
The rising food insecurity incidence in Haiti is of particular concern as malnutrition levels soar and over 2 million people face emergency levels of acute food insecurity. The Artibonite Department, which accounts for over 70% of the country’s rice production, has seen declining production levels due to insecurity and water shortages. Moreover, gang attacks against cargo ships and the blocking of key access routes also impact the availability of food and essential goods.
Together with the security response, the A3+ urges scaled-up support for the humanitarian response and encourages Member States and regional organizations to provide technical and other forms of support to Haiti to sustain its core public services.
In closing, Madam President, the A3+ urges every Member State of the United Nations to extend its hand in friendship and solidarity to the Haitian people, through the provision of tangible support so that they can surmount this devastating crisis.
I Thank You.
