Statement by the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, Ambassador Sérgio França Danese, during the UN Security Council briefing on the question concerning Haiti - November 20th, 2024

Mr. President,

I thank you for granting our participation in today's briefing. I am also grateful to the briefers for the important information provided to this Council. I am pleased as well to take part in this meeting together with the distinguished representatives of so many countries sincerely interested in Haiti's fate. 

Brazil closely follows the situation in Haiti. In our recent common history, Brazil played a leading role in MINUSTAH from 2004 to 2017; it has conducted joint technical cooperation projects to promote Haiti's sustainable development and the strengthening of its institutions; and has welcomed, including for humanitarian reasons, a hard-working Haitian immigrant community, which has been making important contributions to our society.

It is alarming to see a close friend in such a dire situation. Gangs have been terrorizing Haitians since 2020. The recent upsurge in violence in Port-au-Prince after a short-lived improvement in its security situation is especially concerning. The number of internally displaced people in the country has surpassed 700 thousand people, half of them children. They seek refuge mostly in host families that are overburdened, already scraping a living themselves.

The continuing flow of weapons into the gangs' hands is a key element in sustaining the violence they perpetrate and their illicit and lucrative activities. Countries that are providing weapons in any possible way must face their responsibilities. It is essential to ensure full implementation of the arms embargo and the UN sanctions against gang leaders and accomplices to curtail their action.

According to the World Food Programme, food insecurity has hit a historical high, affecting one in two Haitians, whereas almost a fifth of them suffers from hunger on emergency levels. This is unacceptable.

The Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty that President Lula launched on Monday at the opening of the G20 Summit provides the international community with an invaluable tool to address food insecurity in countries going through protracted instability like Haiti. Also the discussions on reforestation in the Working Group on Food Security of ECOSOC's Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti can have a positive impact not only for the environment, but also for food production in the country.   

During its last mandate in this Council, Brazil consistently stated that there will be no durable solution for Haiti's recurring crises if their underlying causes remain unaddressed. The search for political stability and sound institutions in Haiti is inextricable from the achievement of the sustainable development of the country, with the support of the international community. Security and development are closely interlinked and mutually reinforcing and key to attaining sustainable peace.

The international community must stand by Haiti's side in its pursuit to reinstate an elected government by the beginning of 2026. All five pillars of peacebuilding and consolidating peace must be addressed in a holistic way for Haiti to be successful in its search for peace: sustainable development, food security, institution strengthening, full respect of human rights in all their dimensions, and a strong judicial system combined with efficient and responsible police forces.

Still, we cannot ignore the urgent, immediate need to improve the security situation of Haiti. A more secure context will pave the way for the country to address many of its other needs, including the organization of free and fair elections in a peaceful environment conducive to wide participation and to the legitimacy, authority and efficiency of the new democratic government.

We acknowledge efforts by the countries that have contributed troops and resources to the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti.

However, there is no denying that the Mission faces considerable challenges to discharge its mandate. During the negotiations of resolution 2699, Brazil frequently stated that there should be an exit strategy for the future Mission. At the same time, we also acknowledged that a UN mission could benefit from all the expertise and practices the UN has accumulated over the years.

We encourage the Council to consider, in consultation with the Haitian government, possible solutions to address the challenges that the Mission faces, including the possibility of transforming the MSS in a UN peacekeeping operation. We would also welcome the assistance of the Secretary-General in evaluating how best to support Haiti and its long-suffering population in overcoming the immense difficulties that lie ahead.

Thank you.