UN envoy calls for efforts to maintain momentum in Haiti's political transition

The UN secretary-general's special representative for Haiti, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, speaks at a Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, July 20, 2026. The top UN envoy in Haiti on Monday called for efforts to maintain the current momentum in the country's political transition. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, July 20 (Xinhua) -- The top UN envoy in Haiti on Monday called for efforts to maintain the current momentum in the country's political transition.

Haiti continues to face persistent insecurity, acute humanitarian needs and institutional challenges. Yet, recent developments demonstrate that there remains an opportunity to move the political transition forward, suppress gang violence and restore democratic governance, said Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the UN secretary-general's special representative for Haiti.

"The challenge now is to sustain that momentum and translate it into tangible improvements for the Haitian people," he told the Security Council in a briefing.

Massieu said Haiti's political transition stands at a critical moment.

The adoption of the revised electoral decree and the consensus reached on an electoral budget earlier this month are significant achievements that provide a basis for renewed momentum. The launch of voter registration on Monday marks another important step forward, he said.

"The next priority is clear: the adoption of a credible and realistic electoral calendar. Achieving this will require sustained cohesion among Haitian institutions, continued dialogue across the political spectrum, and a shared commitment to place the interests of the Haitian people above all else," said Massieu.

As security remains Haiti's most pressing challenge, the launch of operations by the multinational Gang Suppression Force (GSF) represents an important milestone, he said.

Together with the continued strengthening of the national police and the armed forces of Haiti, it marks a transition from planning to implementation. The progressive deployment and scaling up of the GSF and successful, targeted anti-gang operations will be critical to strengthening national efforts to address insecurity and restore public confidence. Ensuring that these efforts continue in the near future will be paramount, said Massieu.

In his briefing, GSF chief Jack Christofides said the force has established structures, planning processes, and coordination mechanisms to begin sustained anti-gang operations.

"We are moving into the early stages of action. The force has established its headquarters and rules of engagement, as well as some of the first command and control arrangements and intelligence structures. It deployed its first forward operating base inside the strategic area, established continuous patrol patterns, and commenced early operations against gang infrastructure," said Christofides.

On June 21, the GSF conducted a cordon search and clear operation in Tabarre, a major district of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. This led to the apprehension of several suspected individuals and the destruction of hundreds of Molotov cocktails. Immediately on the heels of that operation, the GSF continued with mounted, dismounted, daytime and nighttime patrols in the same area, and brought in bulldozers that removed barricades used by gangs to hold territory, he said.

Christofides called for continued support for the GSF.

"The institutional foundations have now been established. The command structure exists. The operational model is showing promise. Forward operations have begun," he said. "This is the point at which additional investment begins to generate increasing returns. If this momentum is sustained, the GSF will progressively expand and increase pressure on gangs and their patronage networks. If momentum is interrupted, we risk losing this flow."

The international community has, for the first time in several years, a mission with a clear mandate, a coherent operational concept, measurable benchmarks, strong accountability mechanisms, and firm political support, he said. "The opportunity before us is not simply to sustain a mandate, it is to sustain momentum."

Massieu also stressed the importance of consolidating the gains.

The window of opportunity before Haiti must now be seized. The Security Council's continued support will be critical to help sustain the current momentum, he said.

"I call on the government of Haiti as well as on all stakeholders to make an unswerving commitment to exhibit political responsibility and to work in a constructive spirit so as to safeguard the gains we've accomplished. I also encourage member states to provide the necessary resources to support national priorities, consolidate security gains, and create conditions conducive to holding elections and restoring democratic governance," he said.

The United Nations remains firmly committed to supporting Haiti's efforts along this path. The Haitian people deserve to see the progress achieved translate into concrete improvements in their living conditions and new prospects for the future, he said.

The Security Council holds a meeting on Haiti at the UN headquarters in New York, July 20, 2026. The top UN envoy in Haiti on Monday called for efforts to maintain the current momentum in the country's political transition. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

Special representative for the Gang Suppression Force in Haiti, Jack Christofides, speaks at a Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, July 20, 2026. The top UN envoy in Haiti on Monday called for efforts to maintain the current momentum in the country's political transition. (Manuel Elias/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)