UN considers bigger mission in Haiti to fight gangs

30/8/2025 6:50

The United Nations Security Council began talks on Friday on a draft resolution for Haiti to bolster and expand a struggling international force fighting armed gangs that have largely taken control of the capital, Port-au-Prince.



Known as the Multinational Security Support mission, the Kenyan-led force has struggled with a shortage of personnel and funding, and has made little headway in recovering gang-held territory or controlling key transit routes.



The draft resolution, put forward by the United States and Panama, aims to transition the MSS into a so-called Gang Suppression Force led by a "standing group" of representatives from the nations that have so far contributed personnel, plus the United States and Canada.



These are Kenya, Guatemala, El Salvador, Jamaica and the Bahamas. Just under 1,000 personnel, mostly Kenyan, are currently deployed - fewer than half the 2,500 troops the mission had hoped for after early commitments surpassed 3,100.



The new force would authorize a deployment of up to 5,500 personnel.