Haiti asks UN Security Council to assist in dealing with gangs

Haiti: The top diplomat of Haiti has counted on the United Nations Security Council to assist the island country in dealing with the soaring gang violence and crime.

Haiti’s Foreign Minister – Claude Joseph, told the 15-member body on Monday that the existing UN political mission requires to turn towards strengthening security and law enforcement institutions in Haiti, which is also in the middle of a political instability that has been made worse by the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in the month of July.

Joseph cited that, “It is important to take account of the new realities that the country is facing and that the mandate is adjusted accordingly.”

UN’s Haiti envoy – Helen La Lime, told the council that while Haiti’s National Police have been working to follow recommendations UN policing experts made this summer, the force is “overstretched and under-resourced.”

In the meantime, La Lime stated that the “Haitian government “must implement a more holistic approach to addressing gang violence.”

Haiti is currently battling political instability, COVID-19 outbreak, gang violence, and various other crisis. Recently, the President of the Caribbean island – Jovenel Moise, was assassinated at his residence on 7 July 2021 that has increased the political turmoil in the nation.

The situation has been worsened by the 7.2 magnitudes of the earthquake that hit the island on 14 August 2021, leaving thousands of people homeless, destroying more than 53,000 buildings, including – schools, churches, homes and other infrastructure, killing over 2,200 people.

Recently, the elections in Haiti, which were scheduled for the upcoming months, have been again postponed for the fourth time following the Monday dissolution of members of the electoral administration (CEP).

Although, the Prime Minister of Haiti- Ariel Henry, has assured the citizens that the elections will take place soon.

Leaders of various nations have expressed concern over the current situation of the island country and are coming forward to assist in their own ways.