U.N. extends Haiti political mission after US-China dispute
The Hindu
Haiti has been contending with the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July, an earthquake that killed over 2,200 people and destroyed tens of thousands of homes, and escalating gang-related killings, kidnappings and turf wars.
The United Nations Security Council voted unanimously on Friday evening to extend the U.N. political mission in Haiti after a dispute between China which has no diplomatic relations with Latin America’s poorest country and many other members who stressed on the importance of the long-term presence of the United Nations in the crisis-wracked nation.
In a compromise just hours before the mission’s mandate ends at midnight Friday, the United States and Mexico, who drafted the council resolution, reached agreement with China to extend it for nine months -- less than the year Washington wanted and more than the six months Beijing was seeking.
That averted a threatened Chinese veto of the resolution and led to the 15-0 vote approving the measure, diplomats said, speaking on condition of anonymity because negotiations were private.
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