Durrant Pate/Contributor

The United Nations (UN) is reporting that the security situation in Haiti has deteriorated significantly over the past year, with gangs approaching the takeover of the capital.

In its latest report of its mission in the crime-plagued French-speaking Caribbean state, the UN-appointed Coordinator of the Group of Experts noted, “arms trafficking continued with gangs acquiring higher-calibre weapons, and that human rights violations had increased significantly.”

The members of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti, held informal consultations to consider the work program and receive an interim report of the Group of Experts, submitted pursuant to resolution 2752 (2024).

Findings of interim report 

During the Security Council meeting last week, the Coordinator of the Group of Experts presented an overview of the Group’s work programme since the renewal of its mandate by resolution 2752 on October 18, 2024, and then the findings of the Group’s interim report covering the period from October 2024 to February 2025. 

The Coordinator indicated that during its current mandate, the Group had made several visits to Haiti, as well as to other countries in the region. Committee members welcomed the Coordinator’s briefing, expressing support and appreciation for the work of the Group of Experts. 

Committee members reaffirmed their commitment to continue reviewing the information submitted by the Group of Experts to ensure the effective implementation of the sanctions regime, including by updating the 2653 sanctions list. 

The members also expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation. The Committee is composed of the 15 members of the Security Council and makes its decisions by consensus. 

The Committee Chair for the period ending December 31, 2025, was Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett (Guyana), and the Vice-Chair for 2025 is held by China. It should be noted that to date, only seven individuals have been sanctioned under the United Nations system. They are:

Jimmy Cherizier, alias Barbecue, leader of the G9 coalition and “Viv Ansanm”:

• Johnson Andre, leader of the “5 Segond” Gang;
• Renel Destina, leader of the “Grand Ravine” Gang;
• Wilson Joseph, leader of the “400 Mawozo” Gang;
• Vitelhomme Innocent, leader of the “Kraze Barye” Gang;
• Prophane Victor, former member of the Haitian Parliament, involved in arms trafficking;
• Luckson Elan, leader of the “Gran Grif” gang.