Macron calls for UN action as gang violence in Haiti worsens

RFI

30 January 2025 at 1:32 pm·1-min read

Residents walk past cars set on fire by armed gangs in the Poste Marchand neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

As Haiti’s crisis deepens, marked by rampant gang violence and political instability, French President Emmanuel Macron has urged the United Nations to consider a peacekeeping mission. Macron met on Wednesday in Paris with Haiti's transitional president, Leslie Voltaire.

The Elysée Palace reaffirmed France’s commitment to supporting Haiti’s security efforts and mobilising international partners, particularly within the European Union.

“The Haitian people can count on the solidarity of France, which has always been present in Port-au-Prince,” the Elysée said, adding that restoring security was an absolute priority.

Escalating gang violence in Haiti claimed over 5,600 lives last year.

France has been helping the Haitian police both bilaterally and as part of the Kenya-led multinational security support mission.

But with only around 800 police officers deployed – far fewer than the 2,500 originally planned – the force remains too small to counter the growing dominance of armed gangs, which the UN estimates control 85 percent of the capital.

Despite worsening violence, Voltaire said long-delayed general elections are set for around 15 November 2025.

Haiti has been without elected representatives since January 2023, and no elections have taken place since 2016 due to spiralling violence.

The violence is not limited to Port-au-Prince.

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