Attachments
I. Introduction
1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 2645 (2022), by which the Council decided to extend to 15 July 2023 the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), in accordance with resolution 2476 (2019) establishing BINUH, and to adjust the reporting requirements from 120 days to 90 days. The report includes significant developments that have occurred since my previous report (S/2023/274) and provides an update on the implementation of the BINUH mandate.
II. Political issues and good governance
2. Amid a rapidly deteriorating security situation, efforts have continued in order to broaden political consensus and further implement the National Consensus for an Inclusive Transition and Transparent Elections signed on 21 December 2022.
3. In line with the provisions of the Agreement, also known as the 21 December Agreement, in April the Government invited various civil society organizations, including the media, women’s associations, human rights groups, religious entities, diaspora networks, academia and trade unions, to nominate candidates for a provisional electoral council. The proposed nominees will form a list of 20 candidates for consideration by the High Transitional Council, which will subsequently appoint the nine members of the provisional electoral council. Some of the non-signatories of the 21 December Agreement denounced the Government’s steps towards elections despite the deteriorating security situation and called for more inclusive transitional governance arrangements.
4. The High Transitional Council continued to lead discussions with various groups of stakeholders to encourage greater consensus around the transitional governance arrangements in line with the 21 December Agreement. Supported by BINUH and the United Nations Development Programme, the High Transitional Council convened a national political forum on 23 and 24 May in Port-au-Prince. Participants included a broad range of civil society organizations, political parties and private sector groups. Discussions centred on electoral and constitutional reform, democratic governance and the socioeconomic and security situation. The President of the High Transitional Council and the Prime Minister emphasized the need to continue Haitian-led national dialogue to create the political and security conditions necessary to enable the holding of elections. More than 350 representatives, including 130 women, from both signatories and non-signatories of the 21 December Agreement, as well as more than 40 civil society and community leaders from across the 10 departments, participated in the event.
5. On 24 May, a declaration was adopted at the national political forum that contained calls for the deployment of “robust international operational support to the Haitian National Police” and the “design of a national security policy”. While noting the urgent need to provide the national police with the necessary resources and equipment, the potential role of the national army in supporting the police in addressing insecurity was recognized in the declaration. With regard to constitutional reform and elections, the declaration contained a request for the High Transitional Council to establish an expert group to review the Constitution, calling for popular consultations on the matter, as well as the prompt establishment of the provisional electoral council to prepare the holding of free, transparent and credible elections. Key reforms proposed include reviewing public administration appointments, strengthening anti-corruption institutions, implementing fiscal and custom reforms and designing a new socioeconomic development plan.
6. During the twenty-sixth meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), held in Jamaica on 16 and 17 May, CARICOM reiterated its good offices support for Haiti and discussed options for technical and security assistance. In May, CARICOM established an eminent persons group, composed of three former Prime Ministers, namely, Perry Christie (Bahamas), Bruce Golding (Jamaica) and Kenny Anthony (Saint Lucia), to lead the body’s good offices on Haiti. The group hosted a meeting of Haitian stakeholders, including the Prime Minister, in Jamaica from 11 to 13 June. The meeting was intended to facilitate inclusive dialogue as part of efforts to find a solution to the protracted multidimensional crisis and move towards the restoration of democratic institutions. The High Transitional Council declined the invitation, noting that the political dialogue must be Haitian-led.
7. According to a 15 June CARICOM statement, as a result of the discussions the Prime Minister will work with stakeholders to put in place a government of national unity, continue to work towards the appointment of members of the provisional electoral council and enlarge the High Transitional Council beyond the current three members in order to include representatives of a wider group of stakeholders. Also announced in the statement was an upcoming visit to Haiti by the eminent persons group to continue its good offices. Separately, a number of non-signatory stakeholders of the 21 December Agreement, but which participated in the CARICOM meeting, issued a declaration calling for, among others, a presidential council.
8. In a letter dated 7 June addressed to the Secretary-General, the Prime Minister reiterated the urgent need for a specialized international force in support of the Haitian security forces.
9. Since her arrival in Haiti in April, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, María Isabel Salvador, has met with a wide range of stakeholders to facilitate inter-Haitian dialogue and engaged with international partners to advocate enhanced support for Haiti. On 8 June, she briefed the Security Council Informal Expert Group on Women and Peace and Security. On 15 June, she briefed a ministerial-level international partners meeting on Haiti, organized by Canada on 15 June, at which participants pledged further backing for a Haitian-led solution to the crisis and support for the national police and the work of the United Nations.