Haitian government calls for renewal of international anti-gang task force

What the report says

Haiti’s Foreign Ministry is urging the United Nations Security Council to renew the mandate of the internationally backed Gang Suppression Force, warning that continued support is needed to improve security before national elections planned for December. Foreign Minister Raina Forbin made the appeal on Thursday during a meeting of the Organisation of American States focused on Haiti’s worsening gang violence.

According to Al Jazeera’s report, the current mandate for the force is due to expire on September 30 unless the council extends it. Forbin said Haiti needs technical, financial, logistical and security assistance to match the scale of the crisis. The appeal comes as armed groups remain deeply entrenched in parts of Port-au-Prince and other areas, contributing to widespread displacement and instability following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

The article said violence remains severe this year, with large numbers of killings and injuries attributed to gangs in the April-to-June period. The government is also trying to organize what would be Haiti’s first elections in a decade, but officials and critics have questioned whether voting can proceed safely and credibly under current conditions.

OAS Secretary-General Albert Ramdin said the regional body plans to send an electoral observation mission and called for more support for Haiti’s provisional electoral council. The report also noted broader controversy over international involvement, as previous security efforts have faced funding problems and criticism from Haitians skeptical of outside intervention.