On October 2, 2023, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution authorizing an intervention in Haiti by multinational forces led by Kenya and financed by voluntary contributions, for which the EEUU has already pledged $100 million, allegedly to end the rampant violence perpetrated by criminal gangs.
We at Afroresistance are concerned and on high alert by such a resolution. While the intentions behind this intervention might appear noble, the implications of such action raise crucial questions about sovereignty, autonomy, human rights protection, and the efficacy of foreign interventions in addressing complex internal issues. The idea of deploying foreign armed forces in a sovereign nation inevitably challenges the principle of national sovereignty, a cornerstone of international relations. The pressing issues in Haiti can't be ignored, but engaging in foreign military intervention could further undermine the country's independence. Throughout history, interventions have led to unintended outcomes, even with good intentions, leaving the affected nation more fractured and vulnerable than before.
Addressing violent gangs requires comprehensive yet intersectoral solutions to address socioeconomic disparities, improve education, healthcare, and agricultural systems, improve infrastructure, and foster opportunities for gainful employment. The appeal for Pan-African solidarity for Haiti has special significance in the context of global unity. Nevertheless, this solidarity must manifest through methods that empower the Haitian people and respect their ability to make decisions for themselves. Without an integrated intersectional approach to the socio-political crisis, a purely military presence risks being a band-aid solution to a deeply rooted problem.
Afroresistance firmly believes that military intervention is not the answer to the political and economic crisis in Haiti. If the UN and its allies want to help, Instead, the funds they have pledged could be channeled into long-term sustainable development projects in Haiti, addressing immediate inequities while laying the groundwork for a prosperous and stable country in the future. Education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure investments would empower the Haitian people, granting them the tools to shape their destiny with self-determination.
As advocates for Pan-African solidarity and human rights defenders, it is our collective responsibility to advocate for solutions and policies that promote peace, stability, equity, and prosperity while respecting the sovereignty and dignity of nations. Let us stand united in solidarity with the Haitian people, urging The United Nations Security Council to halt the military intervention and a renewed commitment to fostering genuine, lasting change where Haiti flourishes, guided by the values of Pan-African solidarity values and the shared dreams of a better world for all.
#HaitiSovereignty #NoMilitaryIntervention #PanAfricanSolidarity #HumanRights #SelfDetermination #Afroresistance #UNReform #SupportHaiti