Toward a UN Peace Mission in Haiti

Russia and China, often critical of Western-led initiatives, have surprisingly expressed openness to a joint proposal by the United States and Ecuador.

The plan seeks to transition the Security and Stability Mission in Haiti (SSMH) into a United Nations Peace Mission. A key meeting of the UN Security Council is scheduled for Wednesday to discuss the potential framework for this shift.

According to a Haitian diplomat accredited to the UN, who requested anonymity, several factors have influenced this rare alignment by Moscow and Beijing. Chief among them is a recent incident involving U.S. commercial planes targeted by projectiles in Haitian airspace, raising alarm over the escalating instability. Additionally, the intensifying violence in Port-au-Prince has underscored the urgent need for stronger international intervention.

For the United States, which has spearheaded the SSMH, transitioning the mission to a UN mandate offers strategic advantages. It would grant the mission greater international legitimacy and unlock critical resources to address Haiti’s deepening security and humanitarian crises effectively.

This potential transformation marks a significant step in addressing the ongoing turmoil in Haiti, as global powers seek a unified response to restore stability and peace.