US Secretary of State: Strong Security Foundation Needed in Haiti

PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC—The United States Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, says it is necessary to provide a “strong” security foundation in violence-wracked Haiti, where a United Nations-sanctioned Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission is spearheading efforts to restore peace and security in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Country.

Over the past several months, more than 380 Kenyan personnel have arrived here to support the Haitian National Police (NPH) in dealing with criminal gangs and other undesirables.

“In recent weeks, the MSS, with the Haitian National Police, has increased joint operations, taking the fight to the gangs and delivering a powerful message,” Blinken told a press briefing on Thursday in Haiti, where they held talks with Prime Minister Garry Conille, the Transitional Presidential Council (TPC) and other political and security leaders “to advance our shared commitment to a secure and democratic Haiti.

“The Haitian people, not Haitian gangs, will write the country’s future. As a result, the airport reopened. Commercial flights have resumed, allowing goods to enter the country. In parts of Port-au-Prince, there’s more economic activity, more markets reopened, more people venturing out.”

Blinken said that, in his meetings on Thursday with the security mission and Haitian police leaders, they discussed how to ensure that security personnel are “well-trained, well-equipped, and accountable so that they can work together to combat violence and instability and maintain Haiti’s momentum effectively.”

He said the United States, for its part, has already delivered over US$300 million to support the multinational mission, “sending armored vehicles, radios, night-vision goggles; standing up an entire base of operations and we’ll be getting more assistance here more quickly.”

Blinken said the US has also provided US$200 million to the Haitian police since 2021, helping to train and equip recruits and create specialized anti-gang units.

He said the US “deeply” appreciates Kenya’s “indispensable leadership” and President Ruto’s contributions, as well as those of CARICOM and the international community.

The US Secretary of State also noted that Canada has been “one of Haiti’s strongest and most enduring partners, devoting millions in training and equipment to bolster the Haitian National Police and the Multinational Security Support mission.”

He said Jamaica, as deputy commander of this mission, has committed to sending its personnel to Haiti, and El Salvador is sending a medevac team.

But at this critical moment, Blinken said more funding and personnel are needed in Haiti to sustain and carry out the mission’s objectives.

He said the United States has been actively securing this additional support, stating that world leaders will be at the United Nations for its annual General Assembly Debate in a couple of weeks.

On the margins of the General Assembly, Blinken said he intends to convene a ministerial meeting to encourage more significant contributions to help meet Haiti’s security, economic, and humanitarian needs and to renew the mission’s mandate, which expires in early October.

He said the US is also committed to using this security foundation to “support and unlock the potential of the Haitian people.

“We’re the largest contributor of humanitarian assistance to Haiti,” said the US Secretary of State, announcing an additional US$45 million in humanitarian aid to Haiti and bringing the total US aid to over US$210 million this year.

“That means more food, water, sanitation, health, and support services for one and a half million more Haitians,” he added.

In the long term, Blinken said Washington is working to return Haiti to the path of growth and opportunity, including through “a whole-of-government strategy that the United States and Haitian stakeholders have developed to prevent conflict and promote stability here in Haiti.”

He said they are mainly focused on strengthening the apparel sector, constituting a quarter of Haiti’s gross domestic product (GDP), 90 percent of its exports, and employing tens of thousands of Haitians.

Blinken said the United States HOPE/HELP trade preference program is an “essential part of this effort, incentivizing companies to locate factories here by allowing Haitian-produced clothing to be exported to the United States duty-free.”

With this “critical” legislation expiration next year, he said the Biden administration is working with the US Congress to reauthorize it quickly.

Blinken said Washington also continues to partner with the Haitian government to facilitate companies doing business in Haiti.

“Now, we’re very clear-eyed about what is required to address Haiti’s challenges. It’s an enormous amount of work to be done. The challenges are significant,” he said, adding that the stakeholders remain hopeful of a solution soon.

“We see it in young police recruits ready to reclaim their communities. We see it in citizens who see the transition government beginning to address challenges with seriousness and a sense of purpose. We see it in parents who can begin again to imagine going out to the supermarket, sending their kids to school without fear.”

Blinken said everyone he met on Thursday cares about this country and is committed to its future. “I want the people of Haiti to know that the United States is with you…will remain with you, and many other countries are as well.

“So, we’ve seen a good start to moving Haiti forward, but much remains to be done. We’re determined to continue. We’re determined to help the Haitian people write the future that they deserve.”

In March, Blinken met in Kingston, Jamaica, with CARICOM leaders and other critical stakeholders, Haitians, and other partners from beyond the region to rally regional support for a Haitian-led political transition.

Since that time, Blinken said Haitians have “stood up” a Transitional Presidential Council (TPC).

“There’s a government with an interim prime minister and a cabinet, and we see these institutions moving forward to deliver for the Haitian people. The United States appreciates Haiti’s leaders putting aside their differences and working together to lead the country to free and fair elections.

“And we look forward to the TPC swiftly naming a Provisional Electoral Council to organize those elections. That is the critical next step,” Blinken added.

Conclusion

The United States Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, emphasized the importance of providing a strong security foundation in Haiti to combat violence and instability. He also highlighted the progress made in the country, including the reopening of the airport and the resumption of commercial flights.

FAQs

Q: What is the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti?
A: The MSS is a United Nations-sanctioned mission aimed at restoring peace and security in Haiti.

Q: How much funding has the United States provided to support the MSS mission?
A: The United States has provided over US$300 million to support the MSS mission.

Q: What is the US doing to help the Haitian police?
A: The US has provided US$200 million to the Haitian police since 2021, helping to train and equip recruits and create specialized anti-gang units.

Q: What is the US doing to support the Haitian economy?
A: The US is working to strengthen the apparel sector, which constitutes a quarter of Haiti’s GDP, and is also providing humanitarian aid to support the Haitian people.