The United Nations Security Council has recently voted unanimously to expand the arms embargo in Haiti to include all types of weapons and ammunition. The decision comes as a response to the escalating levels of gang violence and criminal activities in the economically challenged Caribbean nation. The resolution empowers the 193 UN member states to take necessary measures to prevent the illicit trafficking and diversion of arms and related materials within Haiti.
Experts have highlighted that sophisticated weapons reaching the hands of gang members and criminals are often trafficked from the United States, particularly from the state of Florida. The new resolution also extends a travel ban and asset freeze on individuals listed on the UN sanctions blacklist for the duration of a year.
In a recent move, the Security Council committee monitoring sanctions on Haiti added two new individuals to the blacklist, including Elan Luckson, the leader of the Gran Grif gang responsible for a significant massacre in Pont-Sondé, and Victor Prophane, a former member of the Haitian parliament linked to arms trafficking.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, gangs in Haiti have significantly increased their influence, reportedly controlling up to 80% of the capital city, Port-au-Prince, and expanding into surrounding areas. The surge in violent crimes such as killings, rapes, and kidnappings has prompted civilian vigilante groups to retaliate.
To assist the Haitian National Police in combating the escalating violence, the UN Security Council had earlier extended the mandate of the Kenya-led multinational force in Haiti. Both the Kenyan and Haitian leaders have appealed for more international support for the UN-backed mission, citing the urgent need for additional resources as the current budget is projected to run out by March 2025.
Ecuador and the United States co-sponsored the council resolution, which also urges the Haitian government to enhance the management of police weapons, ammunition, and seized arms. The resolution emphasises the importance of reinforcing border and customs control to counter illicit trafficking and diversion practices. The panel of experts tasked with monitoring the enforcement of sanctions has been extended for 13 months.
The arms embargo in Haiti was previously limited to small arms, light weapons, and ammunition. The updated resolution now encompasses arms of all types and related materials. This expansion is viewed as a crucial measure in combating transnational organized crime, particularly in safeguarding the civilian population from various forms of violence, especially against women.