Haiti, Always 'Taken for a Ride': The Tragedy Unfolds at the United Nations

In an atmosphere reminiscent of William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, where ambition, guilt, and the corruption of power intertwine, the United Nations addressed the persistent crisis in Haiti. This theatrical image reflects the gravity and complexity of the situation: a weakened state, influential external forces, and a population caught in a bind.

Propaganda and International Stakes

From the outset, it should be noted that while Kenyan President William Ruto's propaganda did not resonate with the American side, in light of the statements by the newly ratified U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, the astute Ruto nevertheless managed to push through his campaign, despite its deceptive nature, and claim credit for the efforts of the Haitian National Police (PNH) with the support of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission. A majority of speakers unanimously praised the actions of the Kenya-led mission, as if the PNH did not exist or had accomplished nothing in terms of security. Fortunately, our Chancellor, His Excellency Jean Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, elegantly set the record straight by commending the valiant Haitian police officers who, despite limited resources, conducted major operations alongside the Haitian armed forces and, of course, the MSS.

The Intervention of Ms. Maria Isabel Salvador (BINUH)

The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, Ms. Maria Isabel Salvador, spoke with hope, highlighting signs of political progress, without specifying their nature. She nevertheless painted an alarming picture of the situation in Haiti, while identifying the arrival of 217 Kenyan police officers, including an advance team of five women, on January 18, as a positive sign. She made a vibrant appeal to donors to be generous, in order to alleviate suffering in Haiti and enable the country's recovery. In conclusion, she invited Haitian actors to overcome their differences and collaborate, while emphasizing that sustainable progress requires simultaneous efforts, both politically and in terms of security, supported by continuous international solidarity.

Ms. Ghada Waly's Perspective (UNODC)

According to Ms. Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), violence in Haiti has steadily intensified since her last intervention. Gangs, seeking control over strategic territories, are engaged in deadly clashes against the population and law enforcement. They resort to brutal tactics, including massacres. Their territorial expansion, which currently reaches 85% of Port-au-Prince, is carefully planned for control over resources and the pursuit of alliances with certain political and economic elites.

The criminal coalition 'Viv Ansanm' is intensifying its attacks on strategic areas. It seeks to suffocate regions still outside its influence. Concurrently, illicit markets, particularly drug trafficking, are exacerbating the situation. Since the 1980s, an influential network, composed of military personnel, law enforcement officials, and private sector members operating both in Haiti and abroad, has controlled this trafficking. This deeply rooted circle must be dismantled to stem the flow of drugs into Haiti.