By Jeffery Kazembe Batts
IG: @kazbatts
Whether at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference or in Little Haiti, leaders are strategizing about plans to encourage development in Haiti. Press conferences and binding resolutions at the United Nations. Panel discussions and town hall meetings in Washington D.C. Rallies and demonstrations in Brooklyn.
On the agenda is the quality of life for people in Haiti and the ability of people of Haitian ancestry to live a dignified and safe life in the United States. Security from marauding gangs in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas and in this country the need for security from out-of-control Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
During The UNGA, a press conference about the security situation in Haiti was held by diplomats from over forty countries. Many Caribbean, South American, European countries were represented. The only African country represented was Kenya.
The press conference affirmed the assembled nations’ support for a resolution led by the USA and Panama that calls for a United Nations Support Office and Gang Suppression Force to replace the Multinational Security Support Mission (MNSSM) that has been in Haiti for the past 15 months. The MNSSM mainly consist of Kenyan soldiers and police. Businessman Laurent Saint-Cyr is the head of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council.
Addressing diplomats from the podium he endorsed the military occupation / support of his country “Haiti could never overcome this challenge singlehandedly. Today it is crucial to mobilize a strong force, with a clear mandate and with adequate material, logistical and financial resources.”
Allegedly the Kenyan led MNSSM never reached full capacity and lacked materials and finances therefore undermining the mission. Kenyan president Ruto proudly explained his soldier’s presence in Haiti as an act of pan-African solidarity during his recent speech at the U.N. Security Council member states Russia and China both abstained on the resolution.
Moscow argued that the mission is unlikely to succeed, and Beijing stated that the resolution could exasperate the situation. The African Union was silent and CARICOM is in the background.
Meanwhile, a few hundred miles down I-95, at the Congressional Black Caucus weekend gathering, Rep. Gregory Meeks of Queens and Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida led a conversation about solutions to Haiti’s crisis.
Meeks who is the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee said, “What upsets me is the fact that somebody is organizing this, organizing these gangs with impunity, we know weapons and guns are not manufactured in Haiti.” On the positive side Meeks also said, “the HOPE / HELP Act (H.R. 1625) and the L’ Overture Economic Development Plan for Haiti Act of 2025 (H.R. 1114) would go a long way to helping Haiti’s economy.”
Florida Representative Cherfilus-McCormick said, “I want a Haitian-led solution but, a Haitian-led solution does not absolve the international community of what they have to do to recompensate Haiti.”
Technology advocate and grammy award winning artist Wyclef Jean attended the gathering and shared “With Haiti we have a big chance. Half the population is a youth population. Think about that. You have an entire workforce that is present.”
Back in Brooklyn, home of the second largest concentration of Haitians in America, organizing to preserve Temporary Protective Status (TPS) is a focus. Convened by the borough’s president Antonio Reynoso, dozens of community leaders and elected officials rallied in support of the 500,000 Haitians who lack permanent status.
As the first Dominican Brooklyn Borough President it was historic for him to facilitate the Little Haiti rally. Scheduled to have ended on September 2nd, TPS has now been extended to February 2026, which is fast approaching.
Like the Florida congresswoman, Haitian president Cyr called for compensation “We call for reparations, not out of bitterness, vengefulness, but out of a desire for justice and truth.” Pan-Africanists and humanists can keep the pressure on in the USA to extend TPS and pass bills in congress that uplift Haiti’s future. As Erik Prince rambles about deploying his militia to collect taxes while patrolling in Haiti, and a Gang Suppression Force is authorized by the U.N.
Security Council, close attention by community and elected leaders is needed for transparency. The human rights of Haitian people and the sovereignty of the first slavery-free republic in the western hemisphere is a concern of Brooklyn lawmakers, the CBC and the United Nations. Like the previous August 7th article emphasized “Now is the Time for a Focus on Things Haitian.” Pan-Africanists stand up!