A Chinese envoy to the United Nations on Wednesday called for efforts to stop the influx of illicit weapons into Haiti, after the Security Council adopted a resolution on renewing the sanctions regime against the country for one year.
The situation in Haiti remains grave. Haitian gangs continue to obtain large quantities of weapons and ammunition from abroad, posing a serious threat to the security of both the Haitian people and international forces, said Sun Lei, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN.
The sanctions regime itself cannot automatically improve the security situation in Haiti and UN member states must take concrete actions to ensure that the sanctions measures are effectively implemented, he said. "We urge (UN) member states, especially the main source country of illicit weapons and ammunition entering Haiti, to take urgent and decisive measures to combat arms trafficking at its source."
Meanwhile, overcoming Haiti's predicament depends on the country's own political will and concrete efforts. All political parties and factions in Haiti must demonstrate a sense of responsibility, strengthen unity, and effectively advance a political process that is Haitian-led and Haitian-owned, Sun said.
The Haitian authorities must genuinely assume primary responsibility for maintaining security and strengthening governance, combating corruption and impunity, and eliminating the conditions that allow violence to flourish, he said.
Together with the international community, China will continue to support the Haitian people in finding the right path out of the crisis at an early date, Sun said.
The Security Council on Wednesday adopted Resolution 2831 to renew the sanctions regime, which includes an arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze measures, for one year from the date of the adoption of this resolution.