A senior American official said he was “
optimistic
” on Wednesday October 26 about the possibility of setting up an international force for Haiti, a Caribbean country plunged into a spiral of health and security crises.
"
I am very optimistic that the international community and the Security Council can come together around a new resolution establishing a multinational force for Haiti
," said Under Secretary of State for U.S. Affairs Brian Nichols, dismissing the idea of an ambient skepticism surrounding the creation of such a force.
The senior official was speaking on the eve of a trip to Canada by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken where he will notably discuss international aid to Haiti.
The poor Caribbean country faces gangs who sow terror, coupled with a deteriorating health situation with a strong resurgence of cholera.
The Haitian government has appealed to the international community for help, including through a peacekeeping force.
Read alsoThe number of cholera cases in Haiti has doubled in a few days
The idea is not unanimous
But this idea is not unanimous either within the Haitian population or within the UN Security Council, and no country has yet offered to lead it.
“
I strongly disagree with the idea that such a resolution authorizing a multinational force would be in jeopardy
,” Brian Nichols told reporters.
He said that "
a number of countries
" including Canada have the capability to lead such a force but that there has been no decision yet.
"
I have spoken with dozens of partner countries around the world and there is strong support for this multinational force
," he said.
Read alsoThe UN warns against a risk of “explosion” of cholera cases in Haiti
The United States has indicated that it is ready to support such a force but not to lead it, as has France.
At the instigation of the United States and Mexico, the Security Council imposed last week a battery of sanctions targeting the criminal gangs which sow chaos in Haiti but without mentioning the possibility of sending an armed force.
On Wednesday, Antony Blinken said it would be "
difficult, if not impossible
" to help the country without restoring security.
"
We need to break the link - a very harmful link - between the gangs and certain political elites who finance them, run them and use them to advance their interests instead of the interests of the country
," he said.
“
If we can break that link while strengthening the national police, then I think the government can overcome security
,” he added.
