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The Organization of American States (OAS) is advocating for a strategic transformation of international security efforts in Haiti, supporting the country’s request to transition the current Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission into a United Nations Peacekeeping Operation (UNPKO). This move underscores the need for a long-term, multidimensional approach to Haiti’s crisis, aiming to tackle the root causes of instability alongside immediate security needs.
The resolution, passed by the OAS Permanent Council, emphasizes that the ongoing violence, political instability, and humanitarian crisis in Haiti require more than military and policing responses. A holistic approach, integrating peacekeeping with socioeconomic development, institution-building, and strong diplomatic engagement, is central to the OAS’s stance. This new focus recognizes that stability can only be achieved through sustained efforts addressing poverty, political fragmentation, and the country’s fragile institutions.
Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council formally requested this transformation to enhance the MSS mission’s capacity to provide stability and assist in rebuilding democratic institutions. This appeal follows the United Nations Security Council’s unanimous extension of the MSS mission under Chapter VII of the UN Charter through Resolution 2751 (2024). The OAS’s endorsement, coupled with growing support from international partners such as Kenya, highlights a broader consensus around a strategic shift in Haiti’s international assistance framework.
Historically, international missions in Haiti, such as MINUSTAH and MINUSJUSTH, have demonstrated the complexities of peacekeeping in fragile states. Lessons from these missions underscore the importance of respecting national sovereignty, ensuring local ownership of security initiatives, and addressing societal vulnerabilities that perpetuate instability. The OAS resolution calls for a peacekeeping mission that aligns with these principles while fostering cooperation with the Haitian National Police to restore public order.
The renewed focus extends beyond traditional security operations. The OAS resolution recognizes the importance of coordinated international efforts to address the root causes of conflict. These include economic hardships, social inequality, and governance challenges that have eroded public trust. The push for a UNPKO is seen as a necessary evolution of Haiti’s security mission—moving from reactive measures toward proactive, sustainable solutions.
While some OAS member states, such as Colombia, emphasized a need to focus on broader developmental and institutional reforms, the overall consensus reflects a shared commitment to Haiti’s recovery. The U.S. representative to the OAS highlighted the resolution as a powerful message of regional solidarity, underscoring that peacekeeping efforts must complement comprehensive developmental strategies.
As Haiti grapples with escalating violence and humanitarian crises, the OAS’s support for a peacekeeping transition represents a critical step in redefining international engagement. By focusing on a multidimensional strategy, the resolution aims to create a path toward long-term stability, democratic governance, and social development, demonstrating that Haiti’s challenges cannot be solved by security measures alone.
Read the full resolution here.
