Monsieur le Président, Honorables membres du Conseil, Excellences, 

C’est un honneur de m’adresser à vous pour la première fois en tant que Représentant spécial du Secrétaire général en Haiti. 

Over the past two and a half months since I arrived in Haiti, I have met with different stakeholders, from national authorities to civil society, human rights and women platforms, political parties, as well as Haiti’s international partners. During this time, I have been able to witness firsthand the brutal reality of everyday life in the country, especially in Port-au-Prince. There is no doubt that the circumstances are dire, but the Haitian people have not given up. Their fortitude gives us hope. 

As this Council is aware, the national security forces, supported by the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission over the past sixteen months, have faced the gangs with courage and determination. Despite their valiant efforts, armed gangs have maintained their grip on the capital and continued to expand into the Artibonite, the Centre, and most recently the Northwest department, spreading terror among the Haitian population and hindering the functioning of State institutions. 

Between July and August, gangs increasingly targeted farming communes on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince and in other areas of the country and staged multiple attacks against the national police. In the West Department, from 11 to 12 September, a gang assault on the village of Labodrie in Cabaret resulted in more than 42 deaths, including six children. In the Artibonite, attacks during the same period left 42 residents dead and 29 injured, with two police stations set on fire.

Mr. President,

The scale and impact of internal displacement in Haiti is unprecedented, with more than 1.4 million people displaced. Health, education and food security in affected communities continue to be of major concern. Securing adequate resources is critical to meeting urgent needs, preventing further deterioration, and designing durable solutions.

The human rights situation also remains deeply concerning, with widespread abuses linked to gang attacks, violence involving self-defense groups, and even some security operations. 

Sexual violence continues to be systematically used by gangs as a tool of domination and terror against women and girls, impacting not only the victims and survivors but also their families. At the same time, the erosion of family and community protective structures, combined with the lack of social protection, and limited economic alternatives, creates fertile ground for the exploitation and recruitment of children by gangs. 

Armed gangs continue to gravely undermine the enjoyment of fundamental social, economic, and cultural rights. They extort businesses and public transportation, ransack both private and public property, and attack farmers and local producers in rural areas. Their control of roads also restricts access to essential services, including healthcare and education.

Against this backdrop, I welcome the adoption of Resolution 2793 authorising the transition to the Gang Suppression Force and the establishment of the United Nations Support Office in Haiti. This decision reflects the continued engagement of the Security Council in supporting the restoration of security in Haiti. More importantly, it has generated a renewed sense of hope among Haitians, marking a necessary step towards strengthening international support for national security forces by building on the achievements of the MSS. 

Similarly, I welcome the Security Council’s decision to renew the mandate of the Sanctions Committee and its Panel of Experts on 17 October. Sanctions remain a critical instrument to deter and put an end to the nefarious and criminal actions of spoilers. Moving forward, sustained and coordinated efforts to implement Resolution 2793 and to provide the newly authorized Gang Suppression Force with the necessary resources and means to fulfill its mandate are essential to improving the security situation. This is also vital to support and safeguard Haitian-led efforts to advance the political process.

Mr. President, Distinguished Members of the Council, 

Amid persistent security challenges, the political process has entered the final months of the current transitional governance arrangements, which foresee the transfer of authority to elected officials by 7 February 2026.   

The transition clock is ticking. I am concerned that a steady path towards the restoration of democratic governance is yet to emerge. However, I welcome the steps taken by national authorities to consult with political stakeholders, to reach agreement on the necessary conditions under which elections should be held and to avoid a political vacuum beyond 7 February 2026.  

In this vein, the 9 October decision by the Council of Ministers to remove constitutional review from the agenda of the transition and forgo the organization of a constitutional referendum, marks a reorientation, prioritising electoral preparations. Within this context, sustained inter-Haitian dialogue remains crucial to forging renewed consensus on the way forward.

BINUH is helping to bring stakeholders together, promote constructive and inclusive dialogue in order to strengthen stability and national cohesion, and bring the transition to a close. 

Under BINUH’s strategic guidance, the United Nations in Haiti continues to provide technical and logistical support to the Provisional Electoral Council to accelerate preparations for the holding of elections.

Mr. President, Distinguished Members of the Council, Excellencies, 

In anticipation of the full deployment of the Gang Suppression Force, I encourage national authorities to take all appropriate measures to increase security, while ensuring the protection of communities most affected by violence, particularly children.  

Adequate focus needs to be given to complementary measures to prevent recruitment and support the reintegration of children associated with gangs in line with child rights standards.  

While commending the work of the Inter-Institutional Task Force on community violence reduction –supported by BINUH– I urge transitional authorities to re-establish a national institution to lead sustainable disarmament, dismantlement and reintegration. 

In the same vein, continued national efforts are needed to ensure access to justice for victims of gang violence. International support to the specialized judicial units is critical to help Haiti combat impunity, notably regarding financial crimes, corruption, mass crimes and sexual violence. 

BINUH and international partners have continued to engage closely with new police leadership to advance institutional strengthening and reinforce the effectiveness and accountability of security operations.

Despite persistent institutional challenges, preparations to elaborate the new police Strategic Development Plan and the launch of the training of 884 cadets, including 160 women, are important steps to strengthen the capacity and professionalism of the police. 

Mr. President,

The authorization by the Security Council to establish the Gang Suppression Force and the United Nations Support Office in Haiti represents a key milestone in efforts to enhance the operational capacity of national security forces to help restore security. On our part, BINUH will continue fostering coordination among national and international actors in building long-term capacity, and promoting inclusive, rights-based approaches to policing.

The hostile security environment continues to impact the presence of Haiti’s international partners in Port-au-Prince, including the United Nations. Nevertheless, I am leading efforts to swiftly complete the return of all BINUH international personnel to Port-au-Prince, with the goal of achieving 100 per cent staff presence in the capital as a matter of urgency. At this critical stage of the political transition, this will enable us to maintain and further strengthen our support to Haitian-led efforts to restore security, promote dialogue, reduce community violence, combat impunity and reestablish democratic governance. 

As requested by this Council, with the expected deployment of UNSOH, the United Nations stands ready to coordinate with all partners on the ground –including regional organizations and the Gang Suppression Force– while encouraging all Haitian parties to cooperate with the latter in the execution of its mandate.

Mr. President, distinguished members of the Council,

Simultaneous progress on the security front, the political process, and the application of sanctions against spoilers remain key to fostering stability, restoring democratic governance, ending impunity and building a more prosperous Haiti.

The recent action by this Council was a signal of reassurance to the Haitian people that they are not alone – that the international community stands with them during this critical moment. 

Now is the time to swiftly translate this signal into real progress and turn the tide of violence.

Now is the time for all Haitian sectors to come together and place the interest of their nation above all else. 

Notre engagement collectif et continu reste essentiel.  

Je vous remercie de votre attention.