A "robust use of force" by a multinational police deployment and use of military assets is needed to restore law and order in Haiti and disarm gangs, U.N. chief Antonio Guterres told the Security Council in a report seen by Dreamintv on Tuesday. Guterres's report was circulated to the 15-member council Tuesday and outlined two potential U.N. options: providing logistical support to a multinational force and Haiti's police and to strengthen a U.N. political mission already in Haiti. "Haiti's current context is not conducive to peacekeeping," Guterres wrote, adding that law and order had to be restored, gangs disarmed, strategic installations and roadways secured and a state presence re-established to provide basic services.
"Nothing short of the robust use of force, complemented by a suite of non-kinetic measures, by a capable specialized multinational police force enabled by military assets, coordinated with the national police, would be able to achieve these objectives," said Antonio Guterres.
'ACT NOW' SAYS UN CHIEF
Guterres again appealed for countries to "act now" to contribute to the deployment of a non-U.N. multinational force and for the Security Council to support such a move.
The United States has already said it is prepared to put forward a draft Security Council resolution to back a deployment.
Countries have been wary of supporting the unelected administration of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who has said fair elections cannot be held with the current insecurity. Haiti has been without any elected representatives since January.
Kenya said last month it was ready to consider leading an international force and pledged to send 1,000 police officers.
Kenyan officials are due to travel to Haiti soon to assess the needs for such a deployment.
The Bahamas has since committed 150 people if the United Nations authorizes the force.