UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti is set to leave the country
ADVERTISEMENTThe UN flag has been lowered in Haiti as the peacekeeping mission that has helped maintain order through 13 years of political turmoil and natural disasters is being wound up.
Troops will gradually leave within days as the mission comes to an official end on October the 15th. despite concerns that authorities are still not up to the task of ensuring security across the country.
The ceremony in the capital Port-au-Prince was attended by President Jovenel Moise, who thanked the UN for their assistance in providing stability.
Sandra Honore, the UN mission chief said, however that their work was not yet over and that the UN would be starting up a new mission in the country.
She said, “There are many things left to do for Haiti to attain the stability and sustained development we all hope for”.
The current mission, known by its French acronym “MINUSTAH”, has been credited with restoring order to Haiti after a violent revolt in 2004, which forced the former president Jean-Bertrand Aristide into exile.
But it also received strong criticism for bringing the deadly cholera bacteria to the country.
Once implemented, the new mission will use around 1,300 civilian police officers working alongside 350 civilians with a focus on reforming Haitis still fragile justice system.