English reading materialHaiti and the UN Mission fatigue Time for the peacekeepers to start handing over but not to a new army THIS week the United Nations Security Council is set to renew the mandate

the mission have become commonplace, with some Haitians accusing the UN of overstaying its welcome and interfering in the country’s affairs.

It is clear that Minustah’s mandate must now be re-evaluated. The mission has been in Haiti for longer than any other UN peacekeeping operation, and its continued presence is costing the UN around $700m annually. There is a growing consensus among UN officials that it is time for Minustah to start handing over control to local authorities. This would not only allow the UN to focus on other pressing global issues, but would also enable Haitians to take greater responsibility for their own security and development.

However, calls to replace Minustah with a new national army are misguided. Haiti has a long and troubled history of military rule and political violence, and any attempt to create a new army risks reigniting these tensions. Furthermore, the country has far more pressing needs, such as rebuilding its infrastructure and providing basic services to its citizens. Instead, the focus should be on strengthening the Haitian National Police, which has made significant progress in recent years but still lacks the resources and training to tackle the country’s crime problem effectively.

Ultimately, the UN and the international community must continue to support Haiti as it rebuilds itself after the earthquake. This will require long-term commitment and investment, but it is essential if Haiti is to break free from the cycle of poverty and instability that has plagued it for so long. As Minustah begins to wind down its operations, the focus should be on building a stronger, more resilient Haiti, rather than on resurrecting a troubled past