UN‑Supported Mission in Haiti Projected to Reach Full Capacity by Mid‑Year

A United Nations‑backed security force deployed to support Haitian authorities in countering widespread gang violence is expected to reach full operational strength by the summer, according to UN officials.

The UN’s special envoy for Haiti, Carlos Ruiz, said additional personnel are scheduled to arrive by April, with the mission aiming for a total of about 5,500 troops once fully deployed. Approximately 1,000 officers—primarily from Kenya—are already on the ground, though the rollout has faced delays and funding shortages.

Ruiz noted that the force’s expansion comes at a time of heightened political uncertainty. The mandate of Haiti’s transitional government is set to expire on February 7, and no formal succession plan has been announced. Reports indicate internal tensions within the transitional presidential council, including attempts by some members to remove the prime minister before the mandate ends.

The security mission is intended to bolster Haiti’s national police as armed groups continue to expand their control across the capital and rural regions. UN estimates suggest that both Haitian police and gang networks number around 12,000 each, with criminal groups heavily armed due to weapons trafficking. The violence has displaced more than a million people and severely disrupted daily life.

Ruiz emphasized the need for political stability to accompany security efforts, stating that Haiti “cannot spare more internal fighting” and urging authorities to use the remaining weeks of their mandate to advance national interests.

The United States has also cautioned against political moves that could deepen instability. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau warned that attempts to remove the prime minister so close to the end of the transitional government’s term could undermine broader efforts to restore security.

The mission’s progress is seen as a critical component of Haiti’s path toward restoring public safety and creating conditions for long‑delayed national elections. However, officials acknowledge that improving security will require sustained coordination between international partners and Haitian institutions amid ongoing humanitarian and political challenges.