UN Secretary-General António Guterres submitted a letter to the Security Council on Sunday proposing the immediate dispatch of a rapid action force to Haiti following his government’s request for help at a time when gangs and protesters They have paralyzed the country.
The letter, which has not been made public but was seen by The Associated Press, indicates that one or more member states would deploy a rapid action force to assist the Haitian National Police. Such a force would “end the threat posed by armed gangs and provide immediate protection to critical infrastructure and services,” in addition to ensuring “the free flow of water, fuel, and medical supplies from major air and sea ports to communities and Health”.
The letter also notes that the secretary-general could deploy “additional United Nations capabilities to support a ceasefire or humanitarian arrangements.”
However, the letter highlights that “the return to a more robust participation of the United Nations in peace efforts remains a last resort in the event that the international community does not take urgent decisive action in compliance with the options outlined, and the capacity of the national security forces is insufficient to reverse the deterioration in the security situation.
The letter suggests that the rapid action force be gradually withdrawn as Haitian police regain control of the infrastructure, giving rise to one of two options: that member states establish a special international police force to assist and advise local authorities, or that a special force be formed to help combat the gangs through “coordinated attacks and isolation and containment operations throughout the country.”
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Robust Police.
The letter also says that the Security Council could decide to strengthen the police component of the current administration of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, known as BINUH, and call on member states to provide additional equipment and training to the local police.
