Haiti: The Gang Repression Force Replaces the MMAS: A Decisive Step

The United Nations Security Council on Tuesday adopted resolution 2793 (2025), marking a turning point in the international response to the security crisis in Haiti. This text, presented by the United States and Panama, transforms the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMAS) into a Gang Repression Force (GRF), endowed with a more offensive mandate. Adopted by 12 votes in favor, none against, and 3 abstentions (China, Russia, and Pakistan), the resolution provides for an initial 12-month mandate and an authorized maximum strength of 5,550 personnel, including 5,500 military and police personnel and 50 civilians. The new force will be responsible for conducting targeted operations to neutralize gangs, protect strategic infrastructure, support the Haitian National Police (PNH) and the Haitian Armed Forces (FAd’H), ensure secure conditions for free elections, and facilitate unhindered humanitarian access. A United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) will provide reinforcement to coordinate international assistance and support BINUH as well as Haitian institutions. Contrasting Positions within the Council and Beyond The adoption of the text elicited diverse reactions among Council members and international partners. The United States, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, welcomed « the end of impunity for those seeking to destabilize Haiti ». Washington promised rapid deployment in coordination with the Permanent Partners Group, commending Kenya and the countries that participated in the MMAS. For the Americans, the GRF marks a decisive step, as it relies on a shared international approach, supported by UNSOH, and endowed with increased resources to lay the groundwork for long-term stability. Panama, co-author of the resolution, emphasized that « the Haitian people could no longer wait, » insisting on the urgent nature of international action. According to its representative, the resolution aims to restore security, revive the economy, and pave the way for credible elections, a message of solidarity addressed directly to the Haitian population. In contrast, China, which abstained, denounced a « hasty » and « dangerous » decision, pointing to ambiguities in the text regarding rules of engagement and the risk of « fighting violence with violence » without addressing the root causes: arms trafficking, institutional vacuum, and links between gangs and economic elites. Beijing recalled that previous UN interventions in Haiti have often left lasting resentment, warning against a repeat of a cycle of failures. Russia, also an abstainer, delivered a similar speech, speaking of a « misconceived adventure » and calling for a solution based primarily on the restoration of the Haitian state, the return to constitutional order, and socioeconomic development. For Moscow, the true response lies with Haitians themselves, not through increased dependence on external forces. Pakistan, finally, justified its abstention by the absence of clear guarantees on funding and rules of engagement, believing that the lives of Haitian civilians were directly at stake. Islamabad warned against the risk of replicating the MMAS experience, undermined by unfulfilled financial promises. Decisive Turning Point for Haiti Among allies, the resolution received strong support. France refocused the debate by emphasizing that « freeing Haiti from gangs is a direct demand of the Haitian people. » The United Kingdom welcomed the text as a clear signal of the Council's commitment. Slovenia called the GRF an « important milestone » for restoring peace, while the Republic of Korea insisted that this mission reflected the aspirations of Haitians and regional partners. Guyana, on behalf of the A3+ (Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, and Guyana), considered the text, though imperfect, to be a constructive basis and urged the international community to strengthen its support. Finally, CARICOM, through Barbados, insisted on the need for « sustainable and predictable » funding, an essential condition to guarantee the effectiveness of the GRF and pave the way for political and economic reconstruction. In his intervention, Haiti's representative called the adoption of the resolution a « decisive turning point » in the fight against gangs. He affirmed that the GRF will « neutralize criminal organizations, secure vital infrastructure, and restore state authority throughout the territory. » Thanking member states already committed to providing troops and resources, he emphasized that this vote « gives hope not only to Haitians in the country but also to those in the diaspora who dream of returning once security is restored. » A Crucial Step, Yet Fraught with Uncertainties While resolution 2793 (2025) has been presented as a major step forward, it also reveals divisions within the Security Council on how to address the Haitian crisis. On one side, Washington and its allies highlight the need for robust and coordinated military action; on the other, Beijing, Moscow, and Islamabad insist on the risks of an externally imposed solution, without clear funding or a sustainable political strategy. Between hopes and skepticism, one certainty remains: for a people exhausted by violence and instability, the success or failure of this new mission will weigh heavily on the future of Haiti.