Statement by H.E. Ambassador MIKANAGI Tomohiro, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations, at the Security Council Briefing On the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti
2024/11/20
(As delivered)
Thank you, Mr. President.
I thank the ASG Jenča for his informative briefing. I also thank Ms. Juma for her remarks, and I also thank other briefers for their views. I welcome the representatives of Haiti, and other participating countries.
We welcome the appointment of Haitian interim Prime Minister Didier Fils-Aime, and the swearing in of his cabinet. We call upon all Haitian political actors to work together to restore democratic institutions. We look forward to concrete progress in the political process towards free, fair and inclusive elections, to achieve the sustainable security, stability and peace the Haitian people deserve.
Japan remains extremely concerned about the ongoing human tragedy and insecurity in Haiti: the rising toll of dead and missing, and the human rights violations, sexual abuse, and attacks on essential services, perpetrated by gangs.
Amid this urgent situation, a glimmer of hope can be found in the joint operations between the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission to counter gangs and improve security. I sincerely applaud their collaborative and courageous contributions to deliver safety and justice for the Haitian people. I would also like to express appreciation to Kenya, Belize, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and other contributing countries as well as all stakeholders who have made these operations possible.
However, challenges remain, and additional resources are required. We believe that a well-assessed and more detailed identification of resource needs by the MSS Mission and the Haitian government will enable the international community to provide more targeted support. Additionally, an evaluation report on the implementation of the MSS Mission’s mandate could serve as a valuable tool to accelerate effective international assistance. Japan, as a member of the Security Council, has been doing and will do its utmost to support the Haitian government and people through contributing to discussions in this regard.
Japan also takes note of the letter from the Haitian Transitional Presidential Council, which requested that the Secretary-General urgently take action to transform the MSS Mission into a United Nations peacekeeping operation as soon as possible, which would result in more funding and a broader mandate. This urgent request, also supported by the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States, warrants careful consideration. In light of this, we believe it is the Council’s responsibility to respond and conduct a thorough and detailed consideration of this option as a possible alternative for the future. Thus, we appreciate the efforts of Ecuador and the US toward ensuring such a response by the Council.
As we consider all options to support Haiti, I emphasize that any endeavor must be designed to complement Haitian-led and Haitian-owned efforts, and must earn the Haitian people’s trust. This requires strategic and extensive consideration in close consultation with the Haitian government and people, fully taking into account lessons learned from previous UN peace operations and adopting a long-term perspective.
Mr. President,
Let me conclude by reaffirming our commitment to support the Haitian government and people in their pursuit of long-term security and stability.
I thank you.
I thank the ASG Jenča for his informative briefing. I also thank Ms. Juma for her remarks, and I also thank other briefers for their views. I welcome the representatives of Haiti, and other participating countries.
We welcome the appointment of Haitian interim Prime Minister Didier Fils-Aime, and the swearing in of his cabinet. We call upon all Haitian political actors to work together to restore democratic institutions. We look forward to concrete progress in the political process towards free, fair and inclusive elections, to achieve the sustainable security, stability and peace the Haitian people deserve.
Japan remains extremely concerned about the ongoing human tragedy and insecurity in Haiti: the rising toll of dead and missing, and the human rights violations, sexual abuse, and attacks on essential services, perpetrated by gangs.
Amid this urgent situation, a glimmer of hope can be found in the joint operations between the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission to counter gangs and improve security. I sincerely applaud their collaborative and courageous contributions to deliver safety and justice for the Haitian people. I would also like to express appreciation to Kenya, Belize, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and other contributing countries as well as all stakeholders who have made these operations possible.
However, challenges remain, and additional resources are required. We believe that a well-assessed and more detailed identification of resource needs by the MSS Mission and the Haitian government will enable the international community to provide more targeted support. Additionally, an evaluation report on the implementation of the MSS Mission’s mandate could serve as a valuable tool to accelerate effective international assistance. Japan, as a member of the Security Council, has been doing and will do its utmost to support the Haitian government and people through contributing to discussions in this regard.
Japan also takes note of the letter from the Haitian Transitional Presidential Council, which requested that the Secretary-General urgently take action to transform the MSS Mission into a United Nations peacekeeping operation as soon as possible, which would result in more funding and a broader mandate. This urgent request, also supported by the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States, warrants careful consideration. In light of this, we believe it is the Council’s responsibility to respond and conduct a thorough and detailed consideration of this option as a possible alternative for the future. Thus, we appreciate the efforts of Ecuador and the US toward ensuring such a response by the Council.
As we consider all options to support Haiti, I emphasize that any endeavor must be designed to complement Haitian-led and Haitian-owned efforts, and must earn the Haitian people’s trust. This requires strategic and extensive consideration in close consultation with the Haitian government and people, fully taking into account lessons learned from previous UN peace operations and adopting a long-term perspective.
Mr. President,
Let me conclude by reaffirming our commitment to support the Haitian government and people in their pursuit of long-term security and stability.
I thank you.