Haiti’s Foreign Ministry has requested that the United Nations Security Council renew the mandate of an internationally backed security force aimed at addressing the armed groups controlling parts of the country. Foreign Minister Raina Forbin stated that the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) needs to be fully deployed with support from the international community. The GSF's mandate is set to expire on September 30 unless the UNSC acts to extend it. Forbin emphasized the need for technical, financial, logistical, and safety support, stating, "We must now move from solidarity to action." Her comments were made during a meeting of the Organisation of American States (OAS) that focused on ongoing gang violence in Haiti.
From April to June of this year, an estimated 1,408 people were killed in Haiti, with 656 injured, much of which was attributed to gang violence. Haiti is also preparing for long-postponed general elections, scheduled for December 13, but there are concerns that the violence could disrupt the electoral process and undermine public confidence in the results.
Political instability has increased since the assassination of former President Jovenel Moise in 2021, leading to the rise of armed groups that control significant areas of Port-au-Prince and displace over one million people. Authorities have struggled to manage the violence and address underlying issues such as poverty and government corruption.
OAS Secretary-General Albert Ramdin announced that the regional body would deploy an Electoral Observation Mission to support a credible vote and called for more assistance for Haiti’s provisional electoral council. He noted that approximately one million identity cards must be produced and distributed before voting can occur.
Ramdin stated, "Haiti is at a critical juncture. Our responsibility is clear: to strengthen security efforts, advance electoral preparations, fulfill existing commitments, and ensure that international cooperation translates into tangible improvements in the daily lives of the Haitian people."
However, international assistance efforts have faced criticism, with many Haitians expressing skepticism about outside interference. Officials from international forces have also reported a lack of consistent support. Prior to the GSF, Kenya led a Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to assist Haitian police but withdrew in April after failing to meet funding and deployment targets.
The UN Security Council established the GSF task force in October 2025 to replace the MSS, granting it a 12-month mandate to conduct counter-gang operations either independently or in cooperation with Haitian police and military. Human rights advocates have raised concerns about the lack of international support for Haitians fleeing violence, with nearly 200,000 people forcibly returned to Haiti in the first eight months of this year, a 20,000 increase compared to the same period last year.