United Nations extends peacekeeping mission in Haiti
Haiti has been a nation in crisis with violence, corruption, and poverty being the central issues of concern.
The United Nations voted to extend their peacekeeping mission for one year, citing fragile stability and recurrent violence as a threat to national and international security.
By Pinder Mandair [Contributor]
Haiti has been a nation in crisis with violence, corruption, and poverty being the central issues of concern.
The United Nations voted to extend their peacekeeping mission for one year, citing fragile stability and recurrent violence as a threat to national and international security.
With other international issues taking precedence, Haiti has been neglected to the background.
The nation has been in an increasingly turbulent situation since the 2004 ousting of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
The extension of the UN mandate includes the maintenance of the current troop levels and shifting of strategic areas to focus on border areas due to the proliferation of illegal activities occurring in those areas such as human and drug trafficking as well as arms trading.
The anticipation of elections in 2010 have only exacerbated the country which is already suffering from economic, political, and social repercussions.
The dispersal of armed gangs and criminals remain a problem for peacekeeping forces as the rule of law cannot be instituted without such individuals being brought into the judicial system.
This has led to criticism of the UN peacekeeping mission as some observers believe that the UN peacekeepers will be unable to establish the change that they desire because there is a deeper institutional problem aside from ensuring peace.
However, the United Nations Security Council reaffirmed “…its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of Haiti, welcoming the progress achieved so far in critical areas for the consolidation of Haiti’s stability…”.
Corruption, lack of involvement of women in the political arena, and economic devastation to an already weakened nation are among the challenges that await the United Nations in Haiti.