With Russia abstaining, UN Security Council renews Haiti sanctions regime for one year

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 15 (APP):The UN Security Council has renewed the sanctions regime concerning Haiti, including its travel-ban, asset-freeze and arms-embargo measures, with Pakistan reaffirming its support to all efforts to bring stability to the Caribbean country.

By a recorded vote of 14 in favour to none against, with Russia abstaining, the 15-member Council adopted resolution 2831 (2026).

 “Our positive vote today reflects our commitment and support for the collective efforts of the international community to restore peace and stability in Haiti,” the Acting Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, Usman Jadoon, told the Security Council while explaining his vote.

Under the terms of the resolution, the Council expressed concern at reports of misappropriation, embezzlement and diversion of public resources, which pose a risk to peace, security and stability of Haiti.  It also underscored that individuals engaging in, directly or indirectly, or supporting criminal activities and violence involving armed groups and criminal networks that promote violence, or engaging in activities that destabilize Haiti through the illicit exploitation or trade of natural resources, may be listed for travel and financial measures.

The text further reaffirmed that member states shall take appropriate steps to prevent the illicit trafficking and diversion of arms and related materiel in Haiti, including through the strengthening of their border control mechanisms.  It also called upon the Haitian authorities to strengthen the weapons and ammunition management capacity of the police and armed forces.

Armed gangs have been perpetrating widespread violence in Libya for several years. The sanctions regime concerning Haiti was established in October 2022 via Council resolution 2653 (2022), with the arms embargo expanded by Council resolution 2700 (2023).  In 2025, the Council strengthened the sanctions regime and the Panel of Experts assisting the 2653 Haiti Sanctions Committee, and added two individuals to the sanctions list. While these texts were adopted unanimously, today’s adoption was not.

In his remarks, Ambassador Jadoon said that sanctions cannot and must not be considered as an end in itself.

“While effective implementation of these sanctions remains a prerequisite, other underlying factors and root causes of instability also need an effective redressal,” he said.

“We support all efforts to bring stability to Haiti, while respecting Haiti’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and the political choices made by Haiti to overcome its current challenges.”