The UN Security Council on Tuesday, September 29, renewed the mandate of Haiti's Gang Suppression Force for six months, through March 31, 2027.

Resolution 2829 passed with 12 votes in favor and none against. China, Pakistan and Russia abstained. The United States and Panama, which lead the Council's work on Haiti, drafted the text. The six-month renewal is shorter than the two-year extension that had been requested.

The resolution asks the UN Secretary-General to report every six months on progress against benchmarks, requires the force to respect international law and human rights, and stresses reintegration and psychosocial support for children formerly associated with gangs.

Haiti's representative told the Council the force must receive the personnel, equipment and operational capabilities it needs to become fully operational. Haiti's Foreign Ministry welcomed the renewal and thanked the countries assisting Haiti.

The United States said the force is taking the fight to the gangs and clearing roads and neighborhoods. China said it doubted an external military force could resolve a crisis rooted in governance failures and economic desperation. The United Kingdom pointed to its $7.5 million contribution to human rights safeguards and called for a deployment that makes credible elections possible.

The force is authorized for about 5,550 personnel. As of July it had 1,083 military personnel and 16 civilians in Haiti; U.S. officials say more than 1,500 troops are now deployed, with more than 4,000 expected. Chad, El Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mongolia and Sri Lanka contribute personnel.

The vote came a day after gang members killed at least 11 civilians in Gros-Morne, in the Artibonite, in apparent retaliation for a force operation.