New UN mission is unlikely to stem rising Haiti unrest

Subject

New UN mission.

Significance

The UN Security Council announced in late June that it had approved a new mission to Haiti, which will start up in October immediately following the drawdown of its current mission. The move signifies the ongoing commitment to Haiti of the UN, which has been present in the country since 2004. Three successive missions launched by the organisation have had reduced military peacekeeping components in recognition of Haiti’s improving stability. However, with political and social unrest rising, Haiti may feel the lack of an international component to support its fledgling security forces.

Impacts

• The end of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in the United States in 2020 will exacerbate social pressure on Haiti.
• The Dominican Republic may increase border security during Haiti’s protests in order to prevent any migration surges across the border.
• The new UN mission is currently open-ended and could be revised should tensions worsen.