- Brazil took over the rotational presidency seat for the month of October from Albania.
- Council consists of five permanent members namely China, US, France, UK, and Russia and 10 non-permanent members elected members on a two-year term.
Moments after the vote on a draft resolution to authorize Multinational Security Support (MSS) to Haiti on Monday, members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) had an opportunity to express their views.
While 13 member states voted in favour of the resolution penned jointly by the US and Ecuado, Russia, and China abstained.
Members voted by raising their hands.
"Will those in favour of the draft resolution contained in the document as the S/2023/709 Please raise their hands," posed the Council's president Sérgio Danese from Brazil.
Brazil took over the rotational presidency seat for the month of October from Albania.
"The result of the voting is as follows- 13 votes in favour, two abstentions, no votes against. The draft resolution has been adopted as resolution 2699 (2023)," he declared.
The Council consists of five permanent members namely China, US, France, UK, and Russia and 10 non-permanent members elected members on a two-year term.
They are Albania, Brazil Ecuador, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Mozambique, Switzerland, and United Arab Emirates (UAE).
"I now give the floor to those members of the council who wish to make statements," he said.
Here is what the representatives said:
United States (US)
• We thank Kenya for positively considering to lead the mission.
• The deployment of this mission will help to support Haiti's critical near-term needs and foster the security conditions necessary for the country to advance long-term stability.
• The MSS mission must take necessary action to ensure appropriate conduct and discipline and to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Our focus now is to make this mission operational and successful in restoring the security conditions the Haitian people have called for.
• The resolution is a legal requirement for many countries willing to contribute and participate.
• With the adoption of this resolution, we can work together to realise that vision as we work to help the Haitian people in their time of dire need.
China
• We appreciate Kenya's willingness to lead the mission and to play an active role in improving the security situation in Haiti.
• We have always taken a cautious and responsible approach in the invocation of chapter seven of the charter on the authorization of the use of force, there have been precedents of its abuse.
• We hope that the countries leading the mission will hold in-depth consultations with Haiti to ensure those arrangements are supported by the Haitian people.
• Timely reporting should be submitted to the council.
• The implementation of the resolution must comply with international law and the basic norms governing international relations to avoid infringing on the sovereignty of Haiti or interfering in its internal affairs.
• Without a legitimate, effective, and accountable government in place, any external support can hardly have any lasting effects.
• Haitian authorities, parties, and factions should reach the broadest possible consensus on their transitional arrangements as soon as possible and come up with a feasible and credible timetable.
Russia
• We have and will continue to advocate for responsible international assistance to Haiti, taking into account the opinion of civil society.
• We do not have any objections in principle against this initiative and the willingness of Kenya to lead the mission.
• Sending the armed forces of another state to any country even upon its request, is an extreme measure that must be thoroughly thought through.
• Our justified requests for more detailed information about the concept of operations, modalities for the use of force, and the withdrawal strategy of the contingent all went unanswered.
• There were attempts to hurriedly give this non-UN mission the UN's legitimacy.
• As a permanent member of the Security Council, Russia cannot agree with invoking chapter seven of the charter, essentially blindly.
• Haiti's history contains a lot of experience of irresponsible foreign interference.
• Authorising another use of force without a precise understanding of the parameters of the mission is short-sighted.
• We only hope that the mission will help to rapidly stabilise the situation while respecting the country's sovereignty and also the rights of its residents.
• Any interference by external forces in domestic political processes is unacceptable.
Mozambique, Ghana & Gabon (A3)
• Our action in support of the resolution at this time at the request of Haiti is an action for the country and for humankind.
• By our decision as a council, we are standing together for Haiti and fulfilling our responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security.
• We commend and highly praised Kenya for offering to lead the multinational security support mission.
• We strongly hope that a combination of other levels of action, such as targeted sanctions, blockade of arms to the gangs, essential humanitarian support, compliance, and monitoring mechanisms aimed at preventing all forms of abuse or overreach of the mandate as well as the masked efforts to promote social and economic development will help restore hope and stability in Haiti.
(This was a joint statement by African countries (A3) in the council.
Malta
• We voted in favour considering the desperate situation on the ground and the responsibility of the security council to respond with urgency.
• We welcome Kenya's offer to lead the mission and commend all member states that pledged their support.
• The mission must implement all aspects of the resolution and operate fully and transparently under international law, including human rights law to contribute to the protection of Haiti's population.
• Successful implementation of the resolution will be its oversight and a clear delineation between the role of the security support mission and humanitarian action on the ground.
• We reiterate our call to the Haitian authorities to build a broad and robust consensus on this political roadmap.
Switzerland
• The authorization of the security support mission bears witness to the fact that the pleas for help from Haiti have been heard.
• Respect for international law, in particular human rights is an integral part of this mission and reinforces its mandate.
• We call on all actors to respect and protect the human rights of every individual.
• We welcome the importance given to child protection and taking into account the dimensions of sexual and gender-based violence.
• We mandate the participating states to respect these principles by setting the highest possible example.
• We welcome the announcement by Kenya and other states to contribute to this multinational mission.
Japan
• We supported the resolution because of the gravity of the situation in Haiti with escalating levels of violence and criminal activities.
• We take into account the urgent need to provide effective international support in response to the repeated calls by the Haitian government.
• We welcome Kenya's consideration of the mission.
• Extensive and thorough preparation which includes careful examination and awareness of the situation on the ground and assessment of the necessary capability and resources is crucial.
• We call upon member states to contribute and share their experiences and expertise to ensure maximum preparation and support to the MSS missions operation.
• We will actively engage with the international community and spare no efforts to ensure the effective and successful operation of the mission.
• Addressing security in Haiti should go hand in hand with urgent efforts supported by international partners to restore resilient democratic institutions and accountable governance as well as to provide people with basic services and development opportunities.
United Kingdom (UK)
• The Multinational security support mission is an important step to help the Haitian National Police address the deteriorating security situation in their country.
• It paves the way for further efforts to address the Connected Security, humanitarian, political, and economic crises.
• We look forward to the MSS mission, upholding the highest international standards.
• We pay tribute to the leadership shown by Kenya in stepping forward to lead the mission.
• We welcome the engagement of member states from CARICOM and beyond in this effort to help the people of Haiti have free and fair, legislative and presidential elections as soon as local security conditions permit.
UAE
• By voting in favour, we reaffirm that decisive action is needed to help Haiti back on the path towards peace and stability.
• We welcome the willingness of Kenya to lead and other member states to participate in this security support mission.
• The council should have entry points to review, adjust and feed back into the mission mandate as the situation and the plans to respond develop.
• The mission should be adequately equipped to address the horrific sexual and gender-based violence wielded by armed gangs against the Haiti people.
• We encourage all contributing member states to invest in dedicated expertise and training for the contingents to respond to such crimes.
• The security support that the mission will provide is critical, but it is not a panacea that will transform Haiti into a secure and safe country by itself.
• We reiterate our call for a holistic, comprehensive and sustainable response to the challenges Haiti faces.
• Relevant stakeholders must work together towards an inclusive and inter-Haitian dialogue for a Haitian-led and owned political settlement.
Albania
• We commend the leadership shown by Kenya and the readiness of the CARICOM community to take part in the mission.
• We voted in favour of the resolution recognising the vital role that the mission will play in reestablishing security and creating conditions for free and fair elections in Haiti.
• This is a significant step toward addressing the humanitarian crisis in the country.
• We envision that the mission will work closely with the government of Haiti in compliance with international law, international humanitarian rights, law and international standards.
Ecuador
• We underscore the African leadership, both Kenya's readiness to consider heading up the security mission and support expressed by members in the council and countries in the AU.
• We hope that this adoption will send a clear and resounding message to the leaders and members of armed groups and gangs besieging Haiti.
• The crisis in Haiti is multi-dimensional and, therefore requires a comprehensive response.
• The resolution we have adopted reaffirms the strong commitment of this Security Council to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Haiti.
• We urge Call Security Mission to support the Haitian National Police in their efforts to protect citizens and guarantee access to humanitarian aid.
• We encourage countries which have shown willingness to support the security mission to increase their support and economic and social cooperation so that the Haitian people can overcome the current very precarious humanitarian situation.
Brazil
• We reaffirm the importance of respecting the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Haiti.
• Security aid is a crucial element at this point in time, but a number of coordinated efforts are required for a lasting solution to the Haitian crisis.
• We have to adopt a comprehensive approach to mobilise allies in support of institutional and socio-economic progress in Haiti.
• The support mission must ensure security conditions so that the Haitian people can rebuild their democratic institutions and administrative institutions and resume economic activity.
• We are prepared to continue our cooperation activities and to consider ways to contribute to the mission.
• Gangs and paramilitary groups that have continued to have access to weapons with impunity must be disarmed.
• Broad political understanding will enable Haitian state institutions to focus on normalising the political, social and economic life.
• The holding of free and fair elections in full security will give hope to the Haitian people again, and allow the country to begin consolidating a new phase.