Canadian UN Ambassador visits Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force

H.E. Bob Rae, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations, visited the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) at LSA2 on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, marking the highest-level UN diplomatic visit since the Force’s transition from the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSSM) on October 3.

The GSF leadership, led by Colonel Eldon Morgan, Deputy Force Commander, welcomed Ambassador Rae along with H.E. André François Giroux, Canadian Ambassador to Haiti, and a delegation of senior officers from the Canadian Embassy in Port-au-Prince.

During a meeting with the GSF command, Rae commended the officers for their professionalism, dedication, and sacrifice, reaffirming the UN’s commitment to the Force’s transformative role in restoring stability and addressing gang-related insecurity in Haiti.

He emphasized Canada’s ongoing support for the GSF, including a $60 million contribution that also backs a Regional Maritime Security Initiative, aimed at strengthening regional capacity to counter the growing threat of transnational organized crime in Haiti and across the wider Caribbean.

Rae noted the importance of a smooth transition from the former MSSM to the new GSF, stating that lessons learned and best practices from the previous mission are being integrated into the emerging operational framework. He called for patience and continued cooperation, expressing optimism that additional GSF personnel will be deployed by April 2026.

As part of his visit, Rae met with police and military women serving with the GSF. The GSF Gender Advisor invited Chief Inspector Veronica Wanjiru of Kenya to speak on behalf of the forty-seven women personnel from Kenya (25), Guatemala (19), and Jamaica (3), highlighting their vital roles in operations.

Ambassador Rae also toured the GSF facilities housing the air operations unit led by El Salvador, inspecting two newly arrived helicopters and praising the boost they provide to the Force’s air mobility and logistical capacity.

The visit coincided with the recognition of the 25th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, the landmark resolution launching the Women, Peace and Security agenda on October 31, 2000. Rae joined the Deputy Force Commander in honoring the contributions of female officers to the GSF’s mission.

The visit underscores Canada and the UN’s continued engagement with Haiti, reinforcing international support for initiatives that enhance security, regional cooperation, and inclusive participation in peacekeeping operations.