In Haiti, approximately 300 political groups or parties have registered for upcoming elections amid a period of transitional governance. The country last held elections between 2015 and 2017, which led to the rise of the late President Jovenel Moïse. Haiti has not had an elected president since Moïse’s assassination in 2021.
Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative in Haiti, announced in the capital, Port-au-Prince, that the new ‘National Pact for Stability and Organization of Elections’ is a “significant political action.” Massieu added that the pact addresses Haiti’s priorities, including “restoring security, organizing credible elections, and re-establishing democratic governance.”
Why the Political Situation Matters
A stable government is essential for improving the daily lives of the Haitian people. Weak governance and the resulting insecurity have allowed armed gangs to expand their territorial control, undermine the rule of law, and commit human rights abuses. Over 8,100 people have been documented as killed in 2025 alone. Gang violence has led to the displacement of approximately 1.5 million people suffering from poverty, exacerbated by economic collapse. Haiti’s prolonged political transition also impacts regional stability.
When Can Elections Be Held?
The UN and the international community adhere to the principle that a lasting political solution must be a Haiti-led process. Support is being provided to authorities for the organization and conduct of local, parliamentary, and presidential elections. Current Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé has reportedly announced that elections will be held by the end of the year.
What is the International Community Saying?
The UN Security Council, along with the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), plays a key role in addressing Haiti’s long-standing issues. The Security Council discusses Haiti’s situation at least four times a year. In its latest resolution, the Council called on “all Haitian stakeholders to agree on a future governance structure” and expressed “deep concern” about the “lack of progress” in achieving a political transition. The resolution also notes institutional steps, such as the 2025 decree on establishing specialized judicial bodies to combat corruption, gang violence, and sexual crimes.
What is the UN’s Role?
The UN, through its Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), plays a central political and coordination role. BINUH, led by Carlos Ruiz Massieu, has a mandate until January 2027. The Security Council emphasizes the critical “good offices” role of the mission in facilitating a transparent, Haiti-led transition. BINUH also collaborates with UN entities such as UNSOH, which provides logistical, technical, and administrative support to the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), and UN agencies like UNDP, UNICEF, and the World Food Programme, which provide humanitarian and development assistance.
How is the UN Responding?
The UN’s support for Haiti’s transition focuses on integrating political assistance with security, justice, and human rights initiatives. This includes facilitating national dialogue and constitutional processes, supporting justice reform and specialized courts tackling organized crime, assisting judicial institutions and prison administration, supporting the design of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs, coordinating with international partners to reduce community violence, monitoring and reporting on human rights violations, and supporting national authorities in strengthening human rights protections.
What Happens Next?
2026 is anticipated to bring the long-awaited elections. According to the electoral calendar, the first round of legislative and presidential elections is scheduled for August 20, with a potential second round and local elections on December 6. Media reports indicate that nearly 300 political parties or groups have registered to participate. Achieving these dates requires stabilizing the security environment and creating conditions for fair voting. The UN will continue to facilitate dialogue, support elections, strengthen justice institutions, and promote accountability, but progress ultimately depends on Haitian stakeholders reaching a consensus. A credible political transition is essential for national recovery.
