Security Council Speakers Urge Strict Compliance with Sanctions to Address Crisis in Haiti
As the United Nations Security Council convened to discuss the ongoing sanctions regime concerning Haiti, speakers emphasized the critical need for strict enforcement of these measures to effectively address the country’s escalating crises. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Chair of the Security Council Committee on Haiti, highlighted the importance of the 2653 sanctions regime and reported on recent updates, including the addition of individuals and entities to the sanctions list. The discussions underscored the urgent need for enhanced cooperation among member states to combat the flow of illicit arms that continue to fuel violence and instability in Haiti.
Sanctions Regime Update and Implementation Challenges
During the meeting, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett presented the Committee’s annual report, detailing the progress made since her last update in December 2024. She noted that the Security Council had renewed the sanctions regime through resolution 2752 (2024), which mandated the Committee to revise its list of designated individuals and entities. As a result, two entities were added to the sanctions list on July 8, and two individuals were included on October 17 through resolution 2794 (2025). Currently, the sanctions list comprises nine individuals and two entities. Rodrigues-Birkett stressed that the effectiveness of these sanctions is closely tied to their rigorous implementation, particularly in relation to the arms embargo, asset freezes, and travel bans.
The Chair also called for increased collaboration between member states and the Committee, as well as the Panel of Experts, to ensure that sanctions measures are effectively enforced. She emphasized that the sanctions regime could play a vital role in addressing the long-standing issues of instability and violence in Haiti. However, she warned that without strict implementation, the sanctions would fail to achieve their intended impact.
International Cooperation and Compliance
Panama’s representative echoed the call for rigorous implementation of the sanctions, highlighting the need to stem the illicit flow of arms that exacerbates the violence in Haiti. He pointed out the troubling connections between certain political and economic elites and the gangs that currently dominate the country. This relationship underscores the necessity for the sanctions regime to produce tangible and sustainable results.
Sierra Leone’s representative, speaking on behalf of Algeria, Guyana, and Somalia, also stressed the ongoing challenges posed by the influx of illicit arms into Haiti. He urged all member states to comply fully with the sanctions measures, particularly the arms embargo, and to cooperate with the Panel of Experts. This cooperation is essential for understanding the dynamics of gang activities, arms trafficking routes, and financial flows that contribute to the crisis in Haiti. He called for a unified effort to raise awareness of the arms embargo’s significance and to enforce sanctions effectively.
Haiti’s Call for Action Against Arms Trafficking
The representative of China emphasized the need for concrete actions to improve border control and prevent arms trafficking. He urged the Committee and its Panel of Experts to enhance monitoring efforts to support the implementation of sanctions. The United States representative also called for decisive action to address gang violence, welcoming the designation of new individuals linked to criminal networks.
Haiti’s delegate highlighted the arms embargo as a crucial measure to tackle the multifaceted crisis facing the nation. He pointed to recent reports indicating that illicit weapons trafficking remains a significant concern, facilitated by well-organized transnational networks. He stressed that the effectiveness of the embargo should be evaluated based on its implementation rather than just its legal framework. The delegate called for strict, consistent, and transparent enforcement of the embargo, emphasizing that combating arms trafficking is a collective responsibility that requires real-time information sharing and coordinated efforts among governments.
Regional Support and the Urgency of Action
The representative of Barbados, speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), expressed alarm over the ongoing illicit trafficking of arms and ammunition into Haiti. He noted that the latest report from the Panel of Experts revealed a consistent failure to enforce the arms embargo. He urged all member states to fulfill their obligations under the sanctions regime, which includes diligent enforcement of the arms embargo and the freezing of assets linked to designated individuals and entities.
He reiterated the expectation that all parties involved would take necessary steps to implement the arms embargo effectively to prevent the flow of firearms into Haiti. CARICOM expressed its readiness to enhance cooperation with relevant stakeholders to ensure that the policies outlined in the latest report lead to concrete actions. The representative concluded by emphasizing that restoring peace, security, human rights, and the rule of law in Haiti remains an urgent priority for the international community.
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