Successful Visit to Haiti Affirms International Commitment, Helps to Shape New United Nations Presence, Security Council President Tells Members

The transition of the United Nations mission in Haiti, cholera and issues of justice and impunity dominated discussions between the Security Council and stakeholders on the ground, the Council President for June said today as he gave an overview of the recent visit to the Caribbean nation.

“The visit was successful due to the large amount of information received in face-to-face meetings that will be invaluable when shaping the new United Nations presence in Haiti,” Sacha Sergio Llorentty Soliz (Bolivia) noted in his summary.  The visit also helped to affirm the international community’s long-term commitment to the country, he added.

According to resolution 2350 (2017) of 13 April, the Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for a final six months, deciding to replace it with a smaller follow-up peacekeeping mission that would help the Government of Haiti strengthen rule-of-law institutions, further develop and support the Haitian National Police and engage in human rights monitoring, reporting and analysis.

During the visit, from 22 to 24 June, the Council delegation met with President Jovenel Moïse, members of his cabinet, parliamentarians, national police, judicial officials and civil society and private sector representatives, the Council President said.  Particularly useful were meetings with police officials who recommitted to further progress in security sector reform, presenting plans for the next phases of the effort.

He went on to say that those discussions were paralleled by meetings with civil society groups that emphasized concerns in the areas of rule of law and justice.  Civil society groups also discussed a variety of topics enhancement of Haiti’s national image, in order to attract international investment, to enforcing zero tolerance of sexual abuse.

Cholera was a central issue that touched on not only issues of health and water resources, but on all areas of development and stability of Haiti, and was a priority for most of the Council’s interlocutors, he continued.  Most stakeholders expressed support for the New Approach to Cholera in Haiti that had been put forth in December 2016 by then-Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to demonstrate the Organization's commitment to the elimination of the disease.

The meeting began at 10:41 a.m. and ended at 10:50 a.m.