Antigua and Barbuda has joined Haiti in urging members of the Organization of American States (OAS) to support a joint call for the renewal and full deployment of the Gang Suppression Force in Haiti.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the OAS, Sir Ronald Sanders, made the appeal alongside Haiti’s Ambassador, Jean Josué Pierre, during a meeting of the OAS Permanent Council. The United Nations Security Council is expected to consider renewing the force’s mandate before the end of September.

Sir Ronald said renewing the mandate would have little effect unless countries also delivered the personnel, funding, equipment and logistical support they have pledged.

“A force authorised on paper but deprived of the resources necessary to fulfil its mandate cannot deliver the security that the Haitian people desperately need,” he said. “Words of support must now be matched by the resources and resolve that can turn solidarity into security.”

The proposed joint statement calls for the force to support the Haitian National Police and the Armed Forces of Haiti in restoring state authority in areas controlled by gangs. It also calls for the airport, port and key transport routes to be secured, and for civilians to be protected.

The statement urges stronger international action against the flow of illegal arms and ammunition into Haiti. It calls for the networks that finance and supply gangs to be disrupted and for those enabling them to be held accountable.

Sir Ronald said security was essential to restoring constitutional and democratic government, delivering humanitarian aid and creating economic opportunities.

“Haiti is asking us to help create the conditions in which the Haitian people can reclaim their future for themselves,” he said.