Political situation remained troubled, with more street agitation 14-18 Nov to protest 2017-2018 budget law, govt corruption, and incarceration of demonstrators. President Moïse 13 Nov announced remobilisation of national army starting 18 Nov, abolished in 1995 due to involvement in multiple coups. Senate report published 10 Nov accused former govt officials, including two former PMs and several ex-ministers, of embezzling part of $2bn loan from Venezuela for Petrocaribe fund. U.S. 20 Nov announced that Temporary Protected Status (TPS) program benefiting 50,000 Haitians residing in U.S will officially end 22 July 2019, giving Haitians without permanent residency nineteen months to leave country. Dominican Republic reported it refused entry to or expelled some 11,000 Haitians in Oct.

Protests against 2017-2018 budget law continued into Oct; law entered into force 1 Oct. Coalition of opposition parties 3 Oct called for six days of protest; following protests, 40 protesters arrested. Opposition 10 Oct called for resignation of President Moïse and announced start of four additional days of demonstrations; several thousand protesters 17 Oct clashed with riot police in Port-au-Prince. In letter to U.S. authorities, govt 6 Oct asked for eighteen-month extension of Temporary Protected Status program, due to expire 22 Jan 2018, which grants legal residency to some 50,000 Haitians living in U.S.. Thirteen-year UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) officially ended 15 Oct; new, smaller UN mission (MINUJUSTH) started with six-month initial mandate, brings police force of 1,300 international officers to country to train national police and strengthen rule of law. UN Food and Agriculture Organization yearly report said 47% of Haitians undernourished.

Several thousand protested in Port-au-Prince 12 Sept over new budget, which they criticised for neglecting poor; demonstrations turned violent, paralysing capital as protesters clashed with police, several wounded. National police chief 29 Aug announced creation of Special Border Police Unit involving deployment of 600 officers along Dominican border in 2018, to combat drugs, arms and human trafficking. U.S. Democratic lawmakers 12 Sept met with Haitian ambassador to discuss the expiring Temporary Protected Status program for Haitian migrants in Jan 2018. Former PM Fritz Jean warned that damage to infrastructure and farming communities from Hurricane Irma 6 Sept will worsen humanitarian crisis. U.S. court 24 Aug dismissed last remaining lawsuit against UN regarding 2010 cholera epidemic.

Ahead of Oct departure of UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Haiti and Dominican Republic (DR) late July combined efforts to tackle border security: MINUSTAH Police Commissioner announced mission’s reconstruction and technical assistance team will remain in Haiti until 2019 and support Haiti/DR efforts to share intelligence and strengthen links to stabilise border, while DR army deployed another 900 soldiers to back up 300 troops previously sent to frontier. DR continued expulsion of undocumented Haitian immigrants, with 6,776 officially deported in July, up 48% from previous month.

Human Rights Section of UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and UN Human Rights office 4 July published report on threats to human rights and security, including widespread impunity, lack of investigation into illegal and arbitrary arrests, inhumane prison conditions and targeting of vulnerable women and children by traffickers. Report by National Network for Defense of Human Rights NGO 29 June also highlighted govt’s failure to address growing insecurity, reported 94 people shot dead in first half 0f 2017. MINUSTAH head Sandra Honoré 18 July told UN Security Council Haiti has “remained on the path of stabilisation and democratic consolidation”. Tensions increased along border with Dominican Republic, which reported continued smuggling and trafficking of women and children and said it would adopt tougher stance against illegal Haitian immigrants; arrested and repatriated some 4,000 Haitians in second week of July alone, and reportedly turned back 140,000 during first half of 2017. U.S. court 22 June sentenced former Senator Guy Philippe to nine years’ prison on corruption charges including money laundering and accepting bribes in connection to international drug trafficking. Foreign ministry 26 July announced it would cut diplomatic missions by 66% due to budget cuts.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly visited Port-au-Prince 31 May, met with President Moïse, who subsequently insisted they are working together to achieve possible extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians living in U.S. by eighteen months; Kelly next day stated that Haitians on TPS “need to start thinking about returning”. At UNGA 14 June, UN Deputy SG Amina Mohammed appealed to member states for extra funding to support aid for Haiti. Brazilian foreign minister 3 June promised to continue to support Haitian people beyond end of UN MINUSTAH peacekeeping mission in Oct 2017. Responding to PM Lafontant’s assurance early June that security is better than a year ago, human rights organisations claimed upsurge in homicide rates. National coordinator for Justice and Peace Commission Rovelson Apollon 19 June reported rise in police brutality including cases of lootings and beatings. World Bank approved $20mn grant for reconstruction of roads and bridges in south and three grants totalling $80mn for hurricane recovery.

Moves by Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for over 50,000 Haitians living in U.S., granted after 2010 earthquake and allowing them to work and live freely, sparked fears of deportation among activists and Haitians in U.S.. Acting director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reportedly said conditions in Haiti sufficiently improved for TPS status to be ended, a claim disputed by many; Haitian officials declared govt ill-equipped to receive tens of thousands of returning migrants. U.S. govt 22 May extended TPS status for six months. Haiti govt facing several strikes by state employees, including teachers striking over unpaid salaries since late April.

UNSC 13 April adopted new resolution on transformation of UN presence in Haiti, approving extension of MINUSTAH for final six months and gradual withdrawal of 2,370 military personnel; also approved creation of new peacekeeping mission in Haiti (MINUSJUSTH) for initial period of six months starting 16 Oct 2017; functions to focus on strengthening rule of law and police force. Haiti’s Permanent Representative to UN Denis Regis voiced support for resolution, however some critics argue role of new mission unclear. Last 250 Uruguayan peacekeepers left Haiti 15 April. Trial began in U.S. 24 April of Senator of Grand’Anse Guy Philippe, who finally pleaded guilty to money laundering charge.

New PM Jack Guy Lafontant, previously sec gen of Party of Democratic Movement for the Liberation of Haiti (MODELH-PRDH), took office 21 March after Chamber of Deputies gave vote of confidence despite resistance of some deputies from president’s PHTK (Parti Haïtien Tèt Kale) party. Senate 15 March approved resolution demanding return of Senator of Grand’Anse Guy Philippe, currently awaiting trial in U.S. after being extradited on drug trafficking charges, and all other Haitians extradited to U.S.. Annual U.S. govt narcotics control strategy report highlighted corruption and money laundering in Haiti, weakness of judicial system. Transformation of UN Stabilization Mission, in Haiti since 2004 and supposed to end 15 April, continued to prompt debate: civil society organisations 14 March released international petition calling for MINUSTAH withdrawal; UNSG Guterres 19 March proposed additional mission for period of six months, to focus on strengthening Haitian National Police and judicial system, no military personnel; UNSC to vote mid-April. Govt 18 March expressed its opposition to renewal of UN human rights expert Gustavo Gallón’s mandate, citing need for Haiti to regain its independence. UN 6 March launched $2.72bn plan to improve disaster risk management in Haiti.

Speaking at his inauguration 7 Feb, President Moïse declared his goal of strengthening state institutions including Provisional Electoral Council. EU delegation met Moïse 7 Feb to discuss €35mn package to address post-Hurricane Matthew reconstruction; Canada same day pledged $91mn to health and welfare aid; govt and UN 13 Feb launched appeal for $291.5mn to cover humanitarian needs in 2017. UN Under Sec Gen for Peacekeeping Operations Hervé Ladsous 13 Feb declared military component of MINUSTAH would soon end; Brazil 1 Feb announced it would withdraw completely from mission before 15 April. UNSG to submit recommendations for future of MINUSTAH to UNSC by 15 March. U.S. judge set trial on drug trafficking charges of Senator-elect Guy Philippe, arrested and extradited to U.S. in Jan, for 3 April; pleading not guilty, Philippe 14 Feb accused Senate President Youri Latortue and four Senators of involvement in his arrest.