On Thursday, April 23, 2026, Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, delivered a speech on Haiti. He welcomed significant institutional progress while emphasizing the country's extreme fragility, still gripped by gang violence.

Massieu highlighted a Haitian paradox: that of a state rebuilding itself administratively while its territory remains scarred by violence. He stressed that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, the continuity of the state has been preserved. The National Pact for Stability, signed by a broad coalition of civil society, demonstrates a commitment to a "Haitian solution" to the crisis.

The completion of the registration of political parties, a first since 2016, is the strongest sign of this return to normalcy. This crucial milestone lays the groundwork for the only outcome deemed legitimate by the international community : the holding of credible elections to restore constitutional order.

Beyond the symbolic significance, the return of Cabinet meetings to the National Palace, after a three-year hiatus, marks a gradual reclaiming of public space in the heart of Port-au-Prince. However, this regained ground remains fragile.

The appointment of key officials to the United Nations Office for Security and Justice in Haiti and the strengthened coordination with the Gang Repression Force (FRG) illustrate an unprecedented alignment between national authorities and international support forces.

However, despite these political advances, the security situation remains worrisome. The recent massacres in Jean-Denis and the attacks in the Southeast demonstrate the persistence and mobility of the gangs. Currently, 1.45 million people are displaced and living in camps and with host families, and 6.4 million Haitians are projected to need humanitarian assistance by 2026.

To ensure lasting peace, the response cannot be limited to security measures. Reviving the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration is a crucial step in providing a way out for young people forcibly recruited by gangs. Furthermore, the creation of specialized judicial units dedicated to combating mass and financial crimes aims to end the impunity that has plagued the country for decades.

Haiti is now at a "window of opportunity". To ensure this burden is not too heavy, as the Haitian proverb says, “Many a burden is lighter,” international unity must maintain unwavering support. The year 2026 must mark a turning point, where political progress finally translates into tangible security for all citizens.

Discours de Ruiz Massieu (en anglais) :

SL/ HaitiLibre