Demobilization of the Brazilian Contingent in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)

The Military patrols of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) were closed on August 30, 2017. With the end of these activities, the withdrawal of the Brazilian military contingent in MINUSTAH is now in course, in preparation for the complete deactivation of that mission until October 15, according to the UN Security Council Resolution 2350 (2017).

The end of the Brazilian MINUSTAH contingent operations was marked by a ceremony in Port-au-Prince today, August 31, chaired by Defense Minister Raul Jungmann. Minister Aloysio Nunes Ferreira visited Haiti last June 2 and 3, on the arrival of the 26th and last Brazilian contingent in the mission.

MINUSTAH will be succeeded by the United Nations Mission for Justice Support in Haiti (MINUJUSTH), with no military component. The new Mission will have the political dialogue as priority, alongside with the strengthening of the Haitian National Police, the rule of law and the human rights in Haiti.

Through the Military Command and the largest contingent of MINUSTAH troops, Brazil significantly contributed to the stabilization of Haiti and the creation of political and security conditions that allowed the reconfiguration of the United Nations presence on the ground. The discipline and efficiency of the more than 37 thousand Brazilian military personnel deployed over the duration of MINUSTAH received wide international recognition. The excellence of the Brazilian “Blue Helmets” in Haiti was also evidenced by the unprecedented fact that a country has uninterruptedly kept military command of a UN peacekeeping operation for 13 years. In addition to their work for the pacification of Haiti, the Brazilian troops have carried out rapid impact projects for the benefit of the Haitian people, as well as relevant services for the humanitarian assistance and reconstruction support of that country, especially in the episodes of the 2010 earthquake and of the hurricane Matthew, in 2016.

Brazil will continue to support Haiti’s stability and development through bilateral political dialogue and a comprehensive technical cooperation agenda. The Brazilian Government stresses the importance of the international community keeping its support to Haiti, in order to consolidate the progress made since 2004, and strengthen the leadership of the Haitian people and Government in the promotion of the country’s security and development in the long term.