OAS Secretary General presents updated roadmap for stability and peace in Haiti

Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Albert R. Ramdin, has presented an updated version of the Roadmap for Stability and Peace in Haiti, calling on member states and international partners to “act with urgency” to address the country’s deepening crisis.

Speaking before the OAS Permanent Council on Wednesday, Ramdin unveiled version 3 of the Roadmap — a detailed plan aimed at restoring security, rebuilding governance, and setting Haiti back on a path toward stability and development. The first version of the plan was introduced in August and has since gained broad international support.

“Time is of the essence; we must act urgently and with concrete commitments to support the Haitian people and help restore stability, democracy, and hope,” the Secretary General said, warning that “time is running out.” He stressed that the international community must move “from intentions to concrete actions” to relieve human suffering and strengthen governance under Haitian leadership.

Ramdin highlighted the deteriorating security situation, noting that “gangs operate with apparent freedom,” and underscored the need for coordinated, accelerated efforts on the ground. He said the OAS continues to work closely with Haitian leadership, the United Nations, CARICOM, and other partners to turn priorities identified by Haitian authorities into “operational and verifiable actions.”

Three immediate priorities

The Secretary General outlined three areas of immediate focus for the OAS and its partners:

1. Security, through the launch and coordination of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF);

2. Political dialogue and governance arrangements beyond February 2026; and

3. Election preparation and support.

He emphasized that progress on humanitarian and electoral fronts depends on tangible advances in security and governance. The updated Roadmap aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 2793, which establishes the GSF and the United Nations Support Office for Haiti (UNSOH), while assigning logistical functions to the OAS in support of security operations.

Under the plan, the OAS will assist with constructing operational infrastructure, planning and oversight of joint operations with the Haitian National Police (PNH), and managing sensitive operational data — efforts that complement the SECURE-Haiti initiative.

Transition and coordination

Ramdin said the transition to UNSOH is set for April 1, 2026, and that interim measures are being taken to fill operational gaps between January and April. He announced a virtual partners’ meeting for November 12, bringing together the OAS, UN, CARICOM, and Haitian leadership to accelerate coordination. Member states have also been invited to nominate candidates for the position of Special Representative of the GSF and to contribute resources to both the GSF and the SECURE-Haiti program.

Key additions to Version 3

According to Ramdin, the latest update incorporates several new elements:

• Greater member-state input and reaffirmation of guiding principles such as Haitian leadership, national ownership, and coordination among OAS, UN, and CARICOM;

• Alignment with UN Resolution 2793, which formally establishes the GSF and UNSOH;

• Clearer operational roles for the OAS, including logistical and planning support;

• A contingency framework to prevent a power vacuum if the Presidential Transitional Council (CPT) expires without a successor; and

• Integration of priorities identified by Haitian authorities during Prime Minister Fils-Aimé’s recent visit to the OAS.

Ramdin also noted that his postponed visit to Haiti—originally scheduled for late October—has been rescheduled for mid-December, following disruptions caused by Hurricane Melissa.

What the Roadmap entails

The Roadmap for Stability and Peace in Haiti is a Haitian-led, internationally supported framework developed in coordination with the OAS, the United Nations, and CARICOM. It links emergency measures with long-term reforms across five pillars:

1. Security and peace

2. Political consensus and governance

3. Electoral legitimacy

4. Humanitarian response

5. Sustainable development and economic progress

The plan includes a “Haiti Roadmap Dashboard” to ensure transparency and alignment among donors and partners, and proposes a Coordination Group Mechanism (CGM) involving the OAS, UN, CARICOM, and Haitian authorities. It also envisions a Group of Friends of Haiti, an OAS Interdepartmental Group for Haiti, and the eventual appointment of a Special Representative for Haiti.

Concluding his remarks, Secretary General Ramdin reiterated that restoring stability in Haiti requires “decisive, collective, and immediate action,” warning that every delay deepens the humanitarian and security crisis.