Statement by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues- Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana on behalf of the A3+ at the 9535th Meeting of the United Nations Security Council on “The question concerning Haiti”

Thank you, Mr. President

I deliver this statement on behalf of Algeria, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and Guyana, the A3 +. I thank SRSG Maria Isabel Salvador, Executive Director of UNODC Ghada Waly and Executive Director of Human Rights Watch Tirana Hassan for their briefings and wish to also recognise the presence of H.E. Jean Victor Genus, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship of Haiti, H.E. Roberto Alvarez Gil, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, H.E. Menissa Rambally, Permanent Representative of Saint Lucia representing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and H.E. Martin Kimani, Permanent Representative of Kenya, at today’s meeting.

The A3+ acknowledges and highly appreciates the work of the Secretary General and the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) in seeking solutions to the multi-dimensional crisis in Haiti. The activities done in collaboration with the UN Country Team are critical to achieving progress towards a lasting solution and to providing life-saving support to the people of Haiti. We are particularly grateful for the reporting that has been provided by BINUH and UNODC, as many of us are unable to receive first-hand information about the situation on the ground.

In turning to the dire humanitarian situation, we encourage all UN Member States, and partners to urgently scale up support for the Haiti Humanitarian Response Plan which remains substantially under-funded, receiving only 33% of its target. Support for the Plan is critical to address the acute levels of food insecurity that the Haitian population is facing and will also improve their currently limited access to essential services.

Given the increasing urgency of the security situation as highlighted in the Secretary General’s report, we welcome the Council’ s authorization of the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission to support the efforts of the Haitian National Police (HNP).  We look forward to the deployment of the MSS in Haiti within the earliest possible timeframe to help establish security conditions conducive to moving towards free and fair elections.

We anticipate that the deployment of the MSS and its joint work with the Haitian National Police will aid in addressing one of the primary causes of the humanitarian situation in Haiti, that is, gang-related violence. We are hopeful that all domestic hurdles will be soon surmounted and that the efforts to bring relief to the Haitian people can soon begin.

 We commend Kenya’s offer to lead the MSS, and those countries that have committed to participate. We urge Member States, other partners and donors, and regional organizations to contribute generously to the Trust Fund as well as provide the support needed for the successful execution of the Mission's mandate, including personnel, equipment, necessary logistical resources, all in keeping with the mechanisms outlined in Security Council resolution 2699.

 The escalation of the brutal gang violence gripping Haiti is largely fuelled by the sophisticated and high-calibre firearms and ammunition that are being trafficked into the country. We share UNODC’s assessment that halting the transfer of illicit weapons and establishing a robust regulatory framework for weapons, are critical to restoring stability in Haiti and ensuring that Haitian authorities regain control over the security situation.  We urge member states to take the necessary actions to aid this objective.  

We must continue to support measures to combat the trafficking and proliferation of illegal arms and illicit financial flows that enable criminal activity in Haiti. In this regard, we welcome the recent expansion of the sanctions regime and remain ready to consider further appropriate measures.

We underscore that sustained stability and development will not be achieved in Haiti without a Haitian-led and owned political solution. A comprehensive political solution, with meaningful involvement of women and youth, is crucial to ending the Haitian multidimensional crisis and to set the country on the path to recovery and growth. We therefore highlight the important work that the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group has undertaken to this end. We recognize that strengthening Haiti’s institutions for justice, restoring the rule of law and strengthening the police and justice systems will be essential for sustainable peace in Haiti.

We encourage all stakeholders in Haiti to work expeditiously in the pursuit of national consensus that will clear a path for a political transition and the holding of free, fair, and credible elections to restore the country’s democratic institutions when conditions are favourable. The Haitian people can wait no longer.

We would like to express our solidarity with the resilient and ingenious people of Haiti, and we are hopeful that the actions taken thus far by the Council and the broader United Nations System, combined with the efforts of regional and national stakeholders, will bring tangible progress and help to restore stability and security – conditions indispensable for the country’s prosperity. 

I thank you.