Haiti’s security situation continues to deteriorate, posing an ever-greater threat to international peace and security. Kenya’s contributions as lead nation since the inception of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, including by providing over 700 personnel, some of whom lost their lives in the protection of the Haitian people, cannot be understated. We deeply thank them for their leadership and incredible service. Despite the considerable sacrifice of those who have contributed substantially to the MSS Mission authorized by United Nations Security Council resolution 2699 (2023) and extended by Security Council resolution 2751 (2024), the MSS Mission lacks the resources and capacity to fully meet the growing challenge. Only an expanded force, provisioned by a United Nations support office and authorized to undertake counter-gang operations with a robust Chapter VII mandate for the use of force, can substantially reduce gang control over territory and secure critical infrastructure in Port-au-Prince.

For any re-envisioned force and United Nations support office to succeed, Member States must be willing to step forward to lead it. The Secretary-General underscored this sentiment in his letter dated 24 February 2025 to the Security Council (S/2025/122), in which he recommended that a “standing group of partners” provide high-level strategic direction, oversight, and political decision-making for any revamped security force even as operational command and day-to-day operational decision-making remain with the force’s commander. Such a standing group of partners would, among other critical functions, work to: (a) secure voluntary financial contributions required for personnel costs not covered by the United Nations support office; (b) facilitate force generation; and (c) provide strategic representation and coordination for the force. The standing group of partners would also select a special representative for the force, based in Port-au-Prince, who would report to the standing group of partners and provide strategic representation and coordination vital for the Mission’s success, ensuring alignment between the force’s operational needs and resource constraints.

Several Member States in the western hemisphere have already demonstrated their commitment to preventing the collapse of Haitian institutions through their personnel contributions and substantial financial and logistical commitments to the MSS Mission, including The Bahamas, Canada, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica and the United States. As the co-penholder on Haiti in the Security Council, the United States intends to convene these countries as the Standing Group of Partners. The Standing Group will also include Kenya, as the current Force Commander. Membership in the Standing Group may be adjusted at any time based on consensus among the members.

Each State member of the Standing Group intends to designate a delegate as its representative to the Standing Group to meet at regular intervals and facilitate execution of the Standing Group’s purpose, in consultation with the force’s special representative, selected by the Standing Group. Furthermore, the Standing Group intends to work closely with the Government of Haiti, noting in this regard the Government of Haiti’s letter dated 6 March 2025 to the Secretary-General, in which the Government fully supported the Secretary-General’s proposal for a standing group of partners and a United Nations support office and expressed its hope that members of the Security Council would broadly concur with the Secretary-General’s recommendations.

The Standing Group recognizes the urgent need to re-establish an environment in which the Haitian people may freely determine their own political future. To that end, the Standing Group stands ready to work closely with representatives of Haiti, the United Nations, its specialized agencies and a United Nations support office, and it further welcomes the support and contributions of other Member States, international and regional organizations and other entities to the success of a re-envisioned security force in Haiti.