At least 18 countries have pledged support for Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force (GSF), signaling strong international engagement in enhancing security in the Caribbean nation.
The pledges were made during the Haiti Force Generation Conference held on December 9.
In a joint statement released on December 12, the governments of the United States and Canada, speaking on behalf of the Standing Group of Partners, welcomed the commitments.
“The shared determination of partner countries and organisations reflects a commitment to assist Haitians in addressing ongoing security challenges affecting the stability of the country and the region,” the statement said.
The 18 entities attending the conference committed personnel, resources, and technical support, demonstrating broad international backing for the GSF mission.
The event also provided a platform for partners to coordinate efforts and strengthen security conditions on the ground.
Haiti’s transitional government is taking steps to restore democratic governance, including adopting an electoral decree to enable citizens to vote for the first time in nearly a decade.
The joint statement noted that these measures, alongside international support for the GSF, are critical to stabilising the country.
“We will continue to work with our international partners to ensure that proper training, tools, and compliance mechanisms are in place to support personnel-contributing countries in their commitment to improving the security of Haitians,” the statement added.
The statement also expressed gratitude to countries that contributed to the GSF’s predecessor, the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), and reaffirmed continued commitment to work with Haiti to protect civilians and promote regional stability.
“This conference reflects a shared responsibility among partner nations to strengthen Haiti’s security capacity and support its democratic transition,” it said.
The United States has been among the most vocal supporters of a coordinated global response to Haiti’s crisis.
According to recent security assessments, a significant portion of Port-au-Prince remains under the influence of armed groups.
The conference aimed to strengthen the GSF’s operational capacity while ensuring sustainable international support as Haiti prepares for a long-term stabilisation effort.
The GSF, authorised on September 30, 2025, under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, is expected to include up to 5,500 uniformed personnel and 50 civilians, working alongside the Haitian National Police and armed forces.
Kenya is leading the mission.
The GSF replaces the previous MSS, which faced funding and capacity challenges. Kenyan police officers have already transitioned into the new GSF framework.
Some questions regarding the force’s design and operations remain unresolved, which has affected wider international participation.
The United States, which did not deploy personnel during the MSS mission, has not indicated any change in its stance.
An early US draft of the Concept of Operations (CONOPS), reported by Devex, outlines that the proposed force would focus on neutralising gang activity and disrupting operational networks.
