Port-au-Prince, February 20, 2026.- The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (UNIH) is entering a new phase. Its leader, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, who is also the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations in Haiti, affirms in an interview given to the newspaper Le Nouvelliste 19 February that the priority is twofold: to support the restoration of security in the face of the rise of armed gangs and to accompany the Haitian authorities towards the organization of credible elections. In the context of a multidimensional crisis, the United Nations calls for coordinated national and international mobilization.
In this new direction, UNIH intends to focus its efforts on strengthening institutional capacity, including governance, rule of law and respect for human rights. The fight against impunity and support for the justice system are also key elements of the renewed mandate.
On the security front, the UN mission stresses the need for sustained international support to the Haitian National Police (HNP) in order to contain the expansion of armed groups that paralyze several areas of the country. For the United Nations, a return to a stable climate remains the essential condition for an inclusive and transparent vote.
Finally, Carlos Ruiz Massieu stresses that the exit from the crisis requires a strong internal political commitment, supported by effective coordination with international partners. The stated objective is to restore legitimate institutions and create conditions for lasting stability in Haiti.
W.A.
