Situation context
Haiti is a Caribbean country occupying the western part of the island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Haiti was the first independent Black republic in the world and the first state in the Caribbean to gain independence after a successful slave revolt in 1804. The country is known for its rich cultural heritage, including art, music, and Creole traditions.
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What is Haiti situation about?
Haiti - Overview
What the Haiti situation is about Haiti is discussed at the Security Council as a multidimensional internal crisis, not a conventional war between States. At its core, the situation combines: Political deadlock and weak institutions Expansion of heavily armed gangs Breakdown of law and order Severe humanitarian and economic distress Across Council discussions, speakers describe a prolonged institutional vacuum, with parts of the State unable to function effectively, while gangs have taken control of neighborhoods, roads and, at times, strategic infrastructure, especially in and around Port-au-Prince. --- Why the Council discusses it The Council treats Haiti as a matter affecting peace and stability because the crisis involves: killings, kidnappings and sexual violence attacks on infrastructure and public institutions disruption of humanitarian access large-scale displacement spillover...
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How did the Haiti situation evolve over time?
Haiti - Timeline
Haiti’s trajectory over time From the Security Council’s discussions, Haiti did not move through a series of separate crises so much as through a deepening chain of connected breakdowns: political paralysis first, then a sharper governance collapse, then accelerating gang control, and finally an increasingly severe humanitarian emergency. --- 1) The crisis was already entrenched by 2020 In the Council’s February 2020 discussions, UN briefers said the crisis had been building since July 2018. The central problem was a political impasse that had paralysed institutions, damaged the economy and fuelled insecurity. What this meant in practice: negotiations had produced only partial agreement on government formation, constitutional reform and an electoral calendar; there was still no agreement on key issues such as the prime minister and the length of President Jovenel Moïse’s term; Haiti...
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