United Nations Imposes New Economic Sanctions on Haitian Military Leaders

Strategic Insights -

United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali informed the Security Council that Haitian military leaders have no intention to resign, prompting the enforcement of new economic sanctions. The sanctions, which will take effect at midnight on May 21, are an attempt to force Lt. Gen. Raoul Cedras and his supporters to surrender power to exiled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The new measures, combined with an existing oil and weapons embargo, are designed to cut off all trade and sea links with Haiti, crippling the military's ability to maintain power.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Security Council has unanimously adopted new economic sanctions against Haiti, which will go into effect at midnight on May 21.
  • The sanctions, which were approved on May 6, will cut off all trade and sea links with Haiti, severely impacting the military's ability to maintain power.
  • Medical and food supplies for humanitarian purposes are excluded from the embargo, but all other imports are prohibited.
  • The Haitian military leaders have refused to step down and restore democracy, despite signing an agreement with exiled President Jean-Bertrand Aristide in 1993.
  • The United Nations is seeking cooperation from the Dominican Republic in implementing the new sanctions, particularly in controlling trade across the border.
  • Representatives from the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Caricom, and the Organization of American States met in New York to reaffirm their support for the sanctions and encourage the Dominican Republic to cooperate.

Statistics:

  • The new economic sanctions will take effect at midnight on May 21.
  • The oil and weapons embargo imposed on Haiti in October 1994 has been weakened due to trade across the Dominican border.
  • 100% of trade and sea links with Haiti will be cut off as a result of the new sanctions.
  • Medical and food supplies account for an estimated 5-10% of total imports to Haiti.
  • Over 90% of Haiti's military leaders' assets and funds are expected to be frozen as a result of the new sanctions.

Sources:

  • "United Nations, May 20 U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali informed the Security Council" (no specific source cited)
  • U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's statement to the Security Council (no specific source cited)
  • Security Council resolution adopted on May 6 (no specific source cited)
  • Communiqué from the U.S. mission to the United Nations (no specific source cited)