(2005-05) Report of the Security Council mission to Haiti, 13-16 April 2005 (S/2005/302)

United Nations • 2005 • 21 pages

Summary — Report of the Security Council's first mission to Haiti, in April 2005, assessing the fragile security situation, disarmament, the political transition under the interim government and preparations for the 2005 elections.

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Key Findings

The mission found broad agreement that Haiti was in a deep political, social and economic crisis, with poverty and unemployment cited as root causes of instability, and that elections were an essential first step but not a comprehensive solution. Security had improved after MINUSTAH neared its authorized strength and conducted joint operations against gangs in Cite Soleil and Bel-Air and against former soldiers, yet serious incidents continued, including the killing of peacekeepers. Prerequisites for comprehensive disarmament, demobilization and reintegration were lacking, and unfulfilled government promises to former soldiers risked destabilization. All interlocutors insisted the electoral timetable be kept, with power transferred to elected authorities on 7 February 2006, while flagging funding, security and logistical constraints for registering an estimated 4.25 million voters.

Full Description

A Security Council mission led by Ambassador Ronaldo Mota Sardenberg of Brazil visited Haiti from 13 to 16 April 2005, in conjunction with the ECOSOC Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, in the Council's first mission to Latin America or the Caribbean. The mission met interim President Boniface Alexandre, interim Prime Minister Gerard Latortue, the Provisional Electoral Council, political parties, civil society and MINUSTAH leadership, and travelled to Cap-Haitien and Gonaives. It found Haiti in a deep political, social and economic crisis, with most interlocutors identifying poverty and unemployment as root causes of instability. Security remained fragile despite MINUSTAH operations against gangs and former soldiers, and prerequisites for a comprehensive disarmament, demobilization and reintegration programme were lacking. The report reviews the national dialogue launched on 7 April, the fragmented landscape of some 90 registered parties, the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Yvon Neptune, and preparations for elections intended to transfer power to elected authorities on 7 February 2006, including security, funding and logistical challenges around registering an estimated 4.25 million voters.

Topics

Geography

Time Coverage

2004 — 2005

Keywords

S/2005/302, Security Council mission, MINUSTAH, Transitional Government, disarmament demobilization reintegration, elections 2005, national dialogue, Fanmi Lavalas, Yvon Neptune, Haitian National Police, Cite Soleil

Entities

Security Council, MINUSTAH, Ronaldo Mota Sardenberg, Boniface Alexandre, Gerard Latortue, Juan Gabriel Valdes, Provisional Electoral Council, Fanmi Lavalas, Yvon Neptune, Jocelerme Privert, Haitian National Police, ECOSOC Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, Conference episcopale d'Haiti, Cap-Haitien, Gonaives

Notes

UN document S/2005/302; ayitistats wave B; Security Council mission report