• UN Security Council has approved a 'Gang Suppression Force' for Haiti.
• The new force will increase personnel from 2,500 to 5,500 to combat gang violence.
• The resolution seeks to provide logistical support for a stable Haiti amidst ongoing crises.
• Haitian officials express hope for improved security and institutional stability.
• Critics warn about the lack of clarity on rules of engagement for the new force.

The United Nations Security Council has approved a significant transformation of its security mission in Haiti by endorsing a 'Gang Suppression Force' aimed at intensifying efforts against rampant gang violence. The resolution allows for the deployment of up to 5,500 uniformed personnel, including police officers and soldiers, more than doubling the existing force of 2,500. This is seen as a vital step toward stabilizing the Caribbean nation, which has been plagued by insecurity, humanitarian crises, and political instability, according to aljazeera and scmp.

The newly approved force will replace the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, which has been deemed inadequate in addressing the violent dominance of gangs over significant portions of the country, particularly Port-au-Prince. US ambassador Mike Waltz hailed the resolution as a manifestation of the international community's commitment to aid Haiti, emphasizing that the resolution offers "hope" as "terrorist gangs expanded their territory," further endangering the local population. This sentiment was echoed by Haiti's officials, who called the decision a "decisive turning point" in combating organized crime, according to scmp and aa.

The resolution also calls for the establishment of a UN Support Office in Haiti to provide necessary logistical and financial support to the force. Amidst this, there are concerns raised by countries like China and Russia regarding the vague mandate of the new force, expressing fears that the use of military force might complicate the already fragile security environment in Haiti. Critics highlight the absence of specific rules of engagement and the potential for a rise in human rights violations, underscoring the need for clear guidelines to be implemented, according to scmp and aljazeera.

Kenya has played a pivotal role in leading the MSS, contributing around 1,000 police officers to the operation and working to stabilize crucial infrastructure amidst escalating violence. The Kenyan government welcomed the transition to the Gang Suppression Force as a recognition of their efforts in mobilizing international support for Haiti. They emphasized that this new deployment would focus on restoring peace in a nation devastated by gang control, marking an essential step in the fight against organized crime, according to aa.