The UN Security Council has unanimously voted to extend the arms embargo in Haiti due to the country’s high levels of gang violence. The resolution includes a ban on all types of arms and ammunition, as well as travel bans and asset freezes on gang members and criminals. The situation in Haiti has worsened following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, leading to a power vacuum that has allowed armed gangs to control up to 80 percent of the capital city, Port-au-Prince. This has resulted in an increase in violence, including rapes, killings, and kidnappings, as well as the formation of civilian vigilante groups.
According to a UN report by Robert Muggah, the primary source of illegal firearms and ammunition in Haiti is the United States, with over 50 percent of weapons coming from there. Many of these weapons are purchased by “straw men” who conceal that they are buying for someone else. The resolution also calls on the Haitian government to tighten their borders to prevent illicit trafficking. Additionally, the Security Council has extended the mandate of the multinational force led by Kenya, which aims to assist the Haitian National Police in combating the gangs.
The Security Council’s efforts to address the situation in Haiti reflect a growing concern over the escalation of gang violence and the need to prevent the flow of illicit weapons into the country. The extension of the arms embargo and other measures aim to restore stability and security in Haiti and protect its citizens from the devastating impact of gang-related violence.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
