A United Nations report has confirmed four substantiated allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse involving personnel from the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti.
The incidents, which occurred in 2025, involved female victims aged 12, 16, 16, and 18. All four allegations were investigated and found to be substantiated by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), according to the UN Secretary-General’s report on Special Measures for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, dated February 16, 2026.
The cases were referred to the leadership of the MSS mission and the commander of the transitioning Gang Suppression Force (GSF) for further investigation and appropriate remedial action. One case involving the 12-year-old victim included an internal review by the mission, while actions on the remaining cases are listed as pending.
The report categorizes the incidents under “Non-United Nations force,” as the MSS is a police-led operation authorized by the UN Security Council but not directly managed by the United Nations. The mission, primarily composed of Kenyan personnel, began deploying in June 2024 to assist Haitian authorities in combating gang violence. It is currently in the process of withdrawing as the new Gang Suppression Force takes over.
The United Nations has flagged the cases for follow-up with the new Gang Suppression Force, which officially began operations in early 2026, and its special representative. The UN maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and provides support to victims through dedicated assistance mechanisms, including a special fund that offers aid in such cases.
No additional details on the specific circumstances of the incidents or the final outcomes for the individuals involved have been released publicly. This is consistent with UN procedures that prioritize victim privacy and ongoing accountability processes.
This development comes as the MSS mission winds down and responsibility shifts to the new international Gang Suppression Force. The revelations underscore the persistent challenges of preventing misconduct in international security operations deployed in fragile and high-risk environments like Haiti.
The UN and human rights organizations have repeatedly emphasized the need for comprehensive training, robust oversight, strict vetting of personnel, and strong prevention measures to protect vulnerable populations, especially women and children, during such missions.
Haiti has a painful history with allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse by international forces, dating back to previous UN peacekeeping operations. These latest cases are likely to fuel calls for greater transparency, faster investigations, and stronger accountability mechanisms in future deployments.
The UN report forms part of the Secretary-General’s annual update on efforts to prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse across all UN-related operations worldwide.
