Haiti Faces UN Mission: Challenges, Stakes, and Perspectives
By La Rédaction · Port-au-Prince · · 3 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
The arrival of UN troops in Haiti comes amidst endemic violence and political instability. The international mission, comprising over 5,500 military personnel, police, and civilians, has an expanded mandate to neutralize gangs, secure sensitive areas, and support the preparation of national elections. However, the situation on the ground remains complex, marked by informal alliances between certain sectors of power and armed groups, and by deep public distrust towards the state.
The Mission's Mandate and Objectives
The international force's primary objective is to restore order and enable a secure environment for economic and political activities. It has the right to arrest gang members and use force when necessary, a capability that previous missions did not always possess. Its independence from local authorities is designed to ensure effective action, free from direct political interference. The mission also aims to stabilize the country ahead of elections, recently expedited by the government, to strengthen the state's legitimacy and prevent the prolongation of the political crisis. Gangs and Their Influence on the Ground
Haitian gangs continue to control a large part of Port-au-Prince as well as certain strategic rural areas. Groups like 400 Mawozo, G9, and G-Pep impose their law through racketeering, kidnappings, and targeted violence, sometimes coordinated with mafia networks or corrupt economic actors. This situation creates a climate where the population perceives the state as complicit, fueling a sense of injustice and distrust. Gangs also use chaos to establish their social influence, positioning themselves as local protectors and leveraging political alliances to strengthen their grip. The Government and Expedited Elections
The Prime Minister and the Haitian government seek to expedite elections to consolidate their power and legitimize their actions before public opinion and the international community. This haste raises questions about the country's actual capacity to organize free and fair elections in a context of insecurity and political fragmentation. If elections proceed without prior stabilization, they risk being contested, which could heighten tensions and compromise the credibility of institutions. Hypotheses and Possible Scenarios
In an optimistic scenario, the UN would succeed in securing key sectors of the capital and reducing gang influence, while collaborating with a willing government. This would create a stable climate for credible elections and gradually restore public trust in the state. An intermediate scenario assumes that the mission achieves sporadic successes, but that certain areas remain under the control of gangs or mafia sectors linked to power. Expedited elections could then provoke tensions with the UN, and the perception of a complicit government could limit the impact of international action. In a pessimistic scenario, collusion between the government and gangs is confirmed, and certain local factions actively oppose the mission. UN operations could then face resistance, ambushes, or political manipulations, making any lasting stabilization difficult. Expediting elections in this context would likely be strongly contested by the population and the international community, exacerbating the political and security crisis. Perspectives and Future Stakes
The mission's success depends on several factors. The UN's ability to effectively neutralize gangs while limiting civilian casualties will be crucial. The Haitian government's willingness to break with collusive practices and fully cooperate with the mission will determine the credibility and effectiveness of international action. Transparent management of elections and the involvement of civil society and international observers will be essential to restore trust. Finally, continuous support from the international community in terms of funding, logistics, and political coordination remains a key element for future stability. If these conditions are met, the mission could mark the beginning of lasting stabilization, offering the country an opportunity for institutional rebuilding and economic recovery. Conversely, any political manipulation or obstruction by corrupt actors could turn the mission into a partial success, reinforcing public distrust and consolidating the gangs' influence over the country.
Port-au-Prince, October 3, 2025
Joseph Georges DUPERVAL
General Coordinator
BATON JENÈS LA
The international force's primary objective is to restore order and enable a secure environment for economic and political activities. It has the right to arrest gang members and use force when necessary, a capability that previous missions did not always possess. Its independence from local authorities is designed to ensure effective action, free from direct political interference. The mission also aims to stabilize the country ahead of elections, recently expedited by the government, to strengthen the state's legitimacy and prevent the prolongation of the political crisis. Gangs and Their Influence on the Ground
Haitian gangs continue to control a large part of Port-au-Prince as well as certain strategic rural areas. Groups like 400 Mawozo, G9, and G-Pep impose their law through racketeering, kidnappings, and targeted violence, sometimes coordinated with mafia networks or corrupt economic actors. This situation creates a climate where the population perceives the state as complicit, fueling a sense of injustice and distrust. Gangs also use chaos to establish their social influence, positioning themselves as local protectors and leveraging political alliances to strengthen their grip. The Government and Expedited Elections
The Prime Minister and the Haitian government seek to expedite elections to consolidate their power and legitimize their actions before public opinion and the international community. This haste raises questions about the country's actual capacity to organize free and fair elections in a context of insecurity and political fragmentation. If elections proceed without prior stabilization, they risk being contested, which could heighten tensions and compromise the credibility of institutions. Hypotheses and Possible Scenarios
In an optimistic scenario, the UN would succeed in securing key sectors of the capital and reducing gang influence, while collaborating with a willing government. This would create a stable climate for credible elections and gradually restore public trust in the state. An intermediate scenario assumes that the mission achieves sporadic successes, but that certain areas remain under the control of gangs or mafia sectors linked to power. Expedited elections could then provoke tensions with the UN, and the perception of a complicit government could limit the impact of international action. In a pessimistic scenario, collusion between the government and gangs is confirmed, and certain local factions actively oppose the mission. UN operations could then face resistance, ambushes, or political manipulations, making any lasting stabilization difficult. Expediting elections in this context would likely be strongly contested by the population and the international community, exacerbating the political and security crisis. Perspectives and Future Stakes
The mission's success depends on several factors. The UN's ability to effectively neutralize gangs while limiting civilian casualties will be crucial. The Haitian government's willingness to break with collusive practices and fully cooperate with the mission will determine the credibility and effectiveness of international action. Transparent management of elections and the involvement of civil society and international observers will be essential to restore trust. Finally, continuous support from the international community in terms of funding, logistics, and political coordination remains a key element for future stability. If these conditions are met, the mission could mark the beginning of lasting stabilization, offering the country an opportunity for institutional rebuilding and economic recovery. Conversely, any political manipulation or obstruction by corrupt actors could turn the mission into a partial success, reinforcing public distrust and consolidating the gangs' influence over the country.
Port-au-Prince, October 3, 2025
Joseph Georges DUPERVAL
General Coordinator
BATON JENÈS LA
