UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations Security Council has voted overwhelming to extend, by a further six months, its justice-support peace keeping mission in Haiti.
The U.N. voted by a 13 to zero margin in favor of the final six-month renewal. Russia and the Dominica Republic abstained.
According to the U.N. resolution, the mission will maintain only a special political mission in the country after Oct. 15.
The U.N. first deployed the peace keepers in Haiti in 2004 and 13 years later it began the withdrawal of the military soldiers but left foreign police officers to continue to provide support to the National Police (HNP).
The peace keeping mission focused on justice, human rights and police development.
In a brief statement recently, Jonathan Cohen, the United States acting permanent representative, said Washington welcomes the final renewal of the peacekeeping mandate, even as it was mindful of the challenges ahead for Haiti.He said political actors in the country need to engage in dialogue to find a lasting solution to the ongoing economic and political challenges.
