I. Introduction
- By its resolution 2070 (2012), the Security Council extended the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) until 15 October 2013 and requested me to report on its implementation semi-annually and not later than 45 days prior to its expiration. The present report covers major developments from the issuance of my report of 31 August 2012 (S/2012/678) until 12 March 2013 and outlines activities undertaken by the Mission in line with its mandate under Council resolutions 1542 (2004), 1608 (2005), 1702 (2006), 1743 (2007), 1780 (2007), 1840 (2008), 1892 (2009), 1908 (2010), 1927 (2010), 1944 (2010), 2012 (2011) and 2070 (2012).
II. Political and security update
Political situation
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The period under review posed numerous challenges to the stabilization process in Haiti. The country suffered extensive damage following the passage of Hurricane Sandy late in October, in addition to widespread and repeated civil unrest, mainly linked to socioeconomic grievances. Continued disagreements between the executive branch and opposition parliamentarians contributed to quasi-paralysis at the political level. Consequently, advances in the strengthening of rule of law institutions, the adoption of key legislation and the establishment of the Electoral Council mandated to organize long-overdue elections did not materialize.
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The President of Haiti, Michel Joseph Martelly, succeeded in forming a pro-Government majority grouping of at least 60 deputies in the Chamber of Deputies, Parlementaires pour la stabilité et le progrès, a goal that had hitherto eluded him. On 16 January 2013, the leader of this majority group, Jean Tholbert Alexis (Ansanm Nou Fo, West Department), was elected as President of the Chamber of Deputies, while Simon Dieuseul Desras (Lavni, Centre Department) was re-elected as President of the Senate. On 21 January, the Prime Minister,
Laurent Salvador Lamothe, announced the second partial reshuffling of the Cabinet in five months.