Parliament rejected no-confidence vote against PM Alexis 28 Feb. Thousands protested in Port-au-Prince 29 Feb demanding former President Aristide’s return from 4-year exile. Tension mounted on northern border: Dominican Republic army on alert after 2 workers briefly kidnapped by Haitians. Suspected kidnapper lynched 9 Feb, crowds attempted another lynching 10 Feb as kidnappings continued to increase.

Director general of electoral council Jacques Bernard resigned 25 Jan, raising fears of further senate elections delay and possible stalemate between president and parliament. President Préval, opposition agreed 10 senators due for re-election could remain until earlier of electoral law vote or May. MINUSTAH head Hedi Annabi cautioned against early troop withdrawal, said country needs at least 6,000 more police officers to maintain minimum level of security.

President René Préval named new national electoral council 11 December, paving way for senate election. UN peacekeepers warned child kidnappings exceeding high rate of 2006.

108 Sri Lankan UN peacekeepers accused of sexual misconduct and exploitation 2 November; sent home. Police reform ongoing (627 recruits graduated in month) but prison sector remains problematic. UN said peacekeeping presence likely for many years. Senate President Joseph Lambert announced elections for one third of Haitian Senate late March/early April 2008; details unconfirmed.

Government announced indefinite postponement of November legislative elections pending investigation of corruption, criminal allegations against electoral council. UN Security Council renewed MINUSTAH peacekeeping force for 1 year 15 October; mandate includes reorganisation of troops to strengthen borders against drugs and arms smuggling.

Defence ministers from 9 UN troop-contributing Latin American countries met in Haiti 4-5 September; underlined support for renewal of mandate, which expires 15 October. Urban security situation stabilised after MINUSTAH anti- gang success in spring, but yet to be consolidated through increased vetted Haitian police presence in urban hot zones, as shown by spike in kidnappings and murders in August. U.S. construction start further delayed on promised Cité Soleil commissariat and police substations.

In visit to Port-au-Prince 1 August, UNSG Ban Ki-moon pledged to request 12-month extension of MINUSTAH peacekeeping mission. UN envoy Edmond Mulet condemned moves by opposition senators toward no-confidence vote against PM Alexis, saying they were block to establishment of effective rule of law. Hedi Annabi appointed to replace Mulet.

Cité Soleil gang leaders Ti Bazil and Claude Jeune arrested 6 and 15 July by Haitian National Police. U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and Haitian counter-narcotics officers arrested internationally-wanted businessman Lavaud François and extradited him on drug charges along with 2 other suspects. Former anti-Aristide leader and 2006 presidential candidate Guy Philippe went into hiding after DEA operation in Les Cayes attempted capture 17 July. Detention commission started work on around 100 urgent pre-trial cases.

Improved security situation in Gonaïves following arrests and joint MINUSTAH/HNP operations; gang leader St Just Adecla killed 20 June in unexplained circumstances. Gang member Yoyo Piman killed by MINUSTAH forces 12 June in Cité Soleil while resisting arrest. Plans to create 2 new prisons announced by PM Alexis 20 June. Public transport strike over rise in petrol prices 12-13 June. President Préval to appoint commission to examine possibility of creating national security force to eventually replace MINUSTAH.

Security remained volatile in Gonaives with killing of local radio administrator Alix Joseph 16 May and arrest of gang leader and former Artibonite resistance front member “Ti Will” 26 May. 2 policemen killed 20-21 May in Port-au-Prince and radio journalist/artist François Latour kidnapped and killed 23 May though overall kidnappings continued to decline.