THE BAHAMAS ENTERS PRE-DEPLOYMENT PHASE OF HAITI MULTINATIONAL SECURITY SUPPORT MISSION: REGIONAL SUPPORT FOR HAITI IS A MUST

(L-R) HE Nestor Mendez, OAS Assistant Secretary General; HE Chet Neymour, Bahamas Ambassador to the OAS and HE Gandy Thomas, Haiti’s Ambassador to the OAS

26th September 2024, Washington, DC, USA

In accordance with UNSC Res. 2966 (2023), and in coordination with the Government of the Haiti and contributing member states to the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM), The Bahamas has entered the pre-deployment assessment phase of providing support and relief to the Haitian National Police (HNP). The Status of Protections Agreement was deposited with the Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General in Washington DC today.

The Bahamas government is strongly of the view that any mission in Haiti ought to be Haitian-led and aim to build the capacity of the Haitian National Police to counter gangs and improve security conditions in Haiti. The RBDF, as part of the Kenyan-led MSSM and with the CARICOM Joint Partnership, will collaborate closely with other CARICOM member states and international partners to coordinate efforts, share intelligence, and pool resources for a more effective response.

By enhancing maritime security and counter-trafficking efforts, the mission contributes to the overall security of the Caribbean region, preventing the destabilizing effects of illicit activities. The mission’s activities align with broader efforts to restore political instability in Haiti by creating a secure environment for peaceful political processes to take place and further support The Bahamas’ active involvement in the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group process.

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