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The UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) needs a gradual reconfiguration of its operations prior to a withdrawal, to avoid a security vacuum and give Haiti the chance for sustainable development.

Towards a Post-MINUSTAH Haiti: Making an Effective Transition, the latest report by the International Crisis Group, assesses the impact of the UN presence in Haiti and analyses the options for MINUSTAH’s eventual departure, as the October 2012 end of its mandate approaches. But this process should not be rushed; a phased withdrawal is more likely to yield success. The departure of the peacekeepers before the end of President Michel Martelly’s mandate in 2016 would thus be counterproductive. To sustain its security gains, the mission must now focus on consolidating the stability needed to foster economic development and improve governance.

“MINUSTAH and the Haitian government need to work together in the next five years to form a shared vision on how to create the conditions for the mission’s departure”, says Bernice Robertson, Crisis Group’s Haiti Senior Analyst. “Haiti still needs support to guarantee security and political stability, but MINUSTAH will only be as effective as the government allows it to be”.

Despite the UN mission’s presence since 2004, Haiti remains ensnared in a deep political, social and economic crisis. It is constantly wrestling with political instability, sporadic violence, chronic poverty and recurring natural disasters. Public administration is weak and its economy underdeveloped. The 2010 earthquake devastated the country and inflicted heavy losses on MINUSTAH, disrupting its activities. Challenges ahead include comprehensive police and justice reforms, economic development and housing for the hundreds of thousands still living in camps and makeshift communities.

Over the next five years, the UN military should be reduced further, and its police reconfigured with more robust gendarmerie and more community police units. To bolster rule of law, justice reform needs to parallel police reform and the new superior judiciary council to be provided with adequate resources and support. Haiti must move rapidly to form its permanent electoral council to hold delayed senate, municipal and local elections with a view to becoming self-sufficient in organising free and fair elections. Haiti’s main donors need to uphold their financial commitments and, together with the UN, keep the country on their agenda.

“By helping Haiti construct a functioning justice system, MINUSTAH can recover public confidence and help Haiti foster a climate that generates increased private investments, jobs and more effective public services, says Mark Schneider, Crisis Group’s Senior Vice-President. “The only real exit strategy for MINUSTAH is Haiti becoming more secure, more stable and better able to meet the needs of its citizens”.