The UN Security Council has voted to expand the arms embargo in Haiti in response to the escalating levels of gang violence in the country. The resolution extends the embargo to all types of arms and ammunition and authorizes member nations to take action to prevent the illicit trafficking of weapons in Haiti. The embargo also includes a travel ban and asset freeze on criminal and gang members.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, Haiti has been grappling with increased instability and a power vacuum that has allowed armed gangs to gain significant control, with estimates suggesting they now control up to 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. This has led to a surge in violent crimes, including kidnappings and killings, prompting the formation of civilian vigilante groups.
According to a UN report by Robert Muggah, the United States is a major source of illegal firearms and ammunition in Haiti, with weapons often being purchased by “straw men” who conceal the true recipient. The resolution encourages the Haitian government to tighten its borders to combat illicit trafficking, in addition to extending the mandate of the Kenya-led multinational force supporting the Haitian National Police in combating gang violence.
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UN extends arms embargo in Haiti to include all categories of weapons | News
