This Wednesday, March 18, at the 7408th meeting of the UN Security Council, the UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti is on the agenda, on this occasion the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Mission for stabilization in Haiti will be introduced.

Regarding the election logistics, this report indicates "The Government of Haiti is likely to face significant challenges in managing security and logistical aspects of the electoral process expected in 2015 and early 2016. These challenges emanate from the fragile political context and the expected complexity of these elections. While the United Nations stands ready to assist, within its means and capabilities, it is imperative that Haitian institutions assume full ownership of the organization and conduct of elections."

Le rapport rappel également que "In preparation for the elections, MINUSTAH provided technical and logistical support for the recruitment and training of the departmental and municipal staff of the provisional Electoral Council and advocated for the application of the 30 per cent female quota in the recruitment process. MINUSTAH, along with UNDP, provided technical assistance to the Council in drafting electoral calendars, budgets and the electoral law. The Mission also supported the civil registration campaign of the National Identification Office. Notwithstanding these advances, the uncertainty resulting from the establishment and replacement of four successive electoral councils in the previous 24 months delayed capacity-building and the nationalization of electoral management capacity. In February, the newly established Electoral Council reactivated the Technical Commission on Logistics, Security and Nationalization, which could foster decision-making on how to advance these issues."

"I call on all actors to continue engaging in constructive dialogue as a means to end the impasse and move towards elections, thereby ensuring the functioning of all State institutions. I also call on them to exercise restraint, appeal to their constituencies to act responsibly, and work towards minimizing tensions in order to preserve the integrity and credibility of what will be a complex electoral process and the longer-term stability of Haiti [...] The expeditious engagement demonstrated by the newly established provisional Electoral Council is encouraging. It is critical that the Council perform its functions with full independence and in the utmost transparency. I urge the executive to spare no effort to ensure that adequate funding is provided to fully cover the operational costs of the Electoral Council, as well as resources for electoral security. The work undertaken by the Electoral Council to consult political parties and the remaining senators on the draft legal framework was a commendable effort and an important step leading to the promulgation of the electoral decree by the President of Haiti on 2 March. I also urge the executive to implement the relevant provisions in the law on the financing of political parties so as to encourage the widest possible participation."

Regarding the security climate Ban Ki-moon stressed that "The recent increase in crime, including in the greater metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, and public unrest, have been well managed thus far by the Haitian police. They are nonetheless a cause for concern given the current period of political uncertainty. The upcoming elections risk further exacerbating the already volatile political environment as MINUSTAH deepens its consolidation. Mindful of the risks posed by the uncertain environment and a possibly protracted electoral period, the Secretariat is seeking to ensure that MINUSTAH remains as mobile as possible. The posture of its uniformed personnel on the ground will be reviewed, as needed, for maximum visibility within a reconfigured presence. The Secretariat will also make full use of the authorized force levels of 2,601 police, in addition to the 2,370 troops, in order to increase operational assistance to the Haitian authorities in the maintenance of law and order and the provision of security and logistical support during the upcoming elections."

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13403-haiti-elections-deep-concern-about-the-security-of-elections.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-12880-haiti-security-un-mission-to-assess-the-prospects-for-stability.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13032-haiti-security-the-government-asked-the-maintenance-and-strengthening-of-the-minustah.html

HL/ HaitiLibre